0
Users
0
Views
0
Reactions
0
Stories read
For immediate help, visit {{resource}}
Made with in Raleigh, NC
Read our Community Guidelines, Privacy Policy, and Terms
Have feedback? Send it to us
Sort by
Curated
Newest
Format
Narrative
Artwork
This is a space where survivors of trauma and abuse share their stories alongside supportive allies. These stories remind us that hope exists even in dark times. You are never alone in your experience. Healing is possible for everyone.
I was raped when I was 18, just after my Leaving Cert. The man who raped me was a former partner. He had been physically abusive which had prompted me to end the relationship. Not long after it ended, he got in contact and asked to meet up to exchange items we had left at the others’ homes. I agreed, not thinking anything of it particularly. We arranged a time and agreed to go for a coffee in a spot we had often frequented as a couple. However, he was hours late turning up and looking back now, this was a huge red flag. I got into the car with him and he drove to a secluded location, incapacitated me and raped me. I will never forget the feeling of trying to prise his hands off of me and finally realising I wasn’t strong enough. It lasted nearly 4 hours and I was orally, vaginally and anally raped. He also used a foreign object during his attack. After it was over, he let me go and I walked for hours in the dark to get home. I didn’t tell a soul for days. The only medical attention I sought was the morning after pill. After about 3 days, I started to come to terms about what had happened to me, and that it wasn’t ok. That I wasn’t ok. I sought help from the SATU in Location and chose ‘Option 3’ which allowed samples to be taken and stored without a Garda present. I couldn’t speak highly enough of the care I got in SATU. They are angels. I later suffered a miscarriage at a relatively late stage in pregnancy, after finding out quite late. I eventually made a statement to Gardai and my perpetrator was arrested, although I decided at the time that I was not strong enough to allow the case to go to court. I suffered hugely at that time with symptoms I have now come to understand were PTSD and depression, and even considered taking my own life. But I accessed supports and met a wonderful psychotherapist and I later repeated my leaving cert and went on to gain entry to university, where I have had such brilliant support. I was lucky to access support that made all the difference to me, and my message to anybody reading this who was affected by sexual violence is that it gets better, and you can get through it.
Dear reader, this story contains language of self-harm that some may find triggering or discomforting.
Community note
This story contains references to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a crisis helpline.
Report
you can do it youre amazing trauma therapy is worth it you look incredible in those clothes I'm so proud of you for the work you're doing
Report
I’m sure everyone has heard that life will always kick you down. I think that is true, but it’s always up to you to try and pick yourself back up again, and when you do, good things will come to you. Try to find good things, view life from a different perspective, hope is always there you just have to find it.
Report
Healing means surrendering everything to God and allowing Jesus to come in and work every aspect of your life for your good and His glory. He is the only one who is able to completely and totally bring about redemption and healing. Jesus has changed my life in so many ways, and every day He continues to do so! Romans 10:9 (the Bible)
Report
Healing is a Journey ~ A Journey of Self-Care, Rebuilding your life, healing from old wounds (physical, emotional, mental, financial, etc.). This journey could take months, years, or a lifetime. You may have setbacks, but you will rebound with confidence and strength. Healing is Hope.
Report
Healing takes time, effort, and self-love. Never give up on yourself. Some days you may take 10 steps forward and another day you may feel like you are taking 20 steps back. As long as you continue to push forward you will find meaning and happiness in your life again.
Report
you are a survivor even if you don't feel like it. your trauma is valid, it's real.
Report
This is a space where survivors of trauma and abuse share their stories alongside supportive allies. These stories remind us that hope exists even in dark times. You are never alone in your experience. Healing is possible for everyone.
you can do it youre amazing trauma therapy is worth it you look incredible in those clothes I'm so proud of you for the work you're doing
Report
Healing means surrendering everything to God and allowing Jesus to come in and work every aspect of your life for your good and His glory. He is the only one who is able to completely and totally bring about redemption and healing. Jesus has changed my life in so many ways, and every day He continues to do so! Romans 10:9 (the Bible)
Report
Healing takes time, effort, and self-love. Never give up on yourself. Some days you may take 10 steps forward and another day you may feel like you are taking 20 steps back. As long as you continue to push forward you will find meaning and happiness in your life again.
Report
you are a survivor even if you don't feel like it. your trauma is valid, it's real.
Report
Healing is a Journey ~ A Journey of Self-Care, Rebuilding your life, healing from old wounds (physical, emotional, mental, financial, etc.). This journey could take months, years, or a lifetime. You may have setbacks, but you will rebound with confidence and strength. Healing is Hope.
Report
I was raped when I was 18, just after my Leaving Cert. The man who raped me was a former partner. He had been physically abusive which had prompted me to end the relationship. Not long after it ended, he got in contact and asked to meet up to exchange items we had left at the others’ homes. I agreed, not thinking anything of it particularly. We arranged a time and agreed to go for a coffee in a spot we had often frequented as a couple. However, he was hours late turning up and looking back now, this was a huge red flag. I got into the car with him and he drove to a secluded location, incapacitated me and raped me. I will never forget the feeling of trying to prise his hands off of me and finally realising I wasn’t strong enough. It lasted nearly 4 hours and I was orally, vaginally and anally raped. He also used a foreign object during his attack. After it was over, he let me go and I walked for hours in the dark to get home. I didn’t tell a soul for days. The only medical attention I sought was the morning after pill. After about 3 days, I started to come to terms about what had happened to me, and that it wasn’t ok. That I wasn’t ok. I sought help from the SATU in Location and chose ‘Option 3’ which allowed samples to be taken and stored without a Garda present. I couldn’t speak highly enough of the care I got in SATU. They are angels. I later suffered a miscarriage at a relatively late stage in pregnancy, after finding out quite late. I eventually made a statement to Gardai and my perpetrator was arrested, although I decided at the time that I was not strong enough to allow the case to go to court. I suffered hugely at that time with symptoms I have now come to understand were PTSD and depression, and even considered taking my own life. But I accessed supports and met a wonderful psychotherapist and I later repeated my leaving cert and went on to gain entry to university, where I have had such brilliant support. I was lucky to access support that made all the difference to me, and my message to anybody reading this who was affected by sexual violence is that it gets better, and you can get through it.
Dear reader, this story contains language of self-harm that some may find triggering or discomforting.
Community note
This story contains references to self-harm or suicidal thoughts. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to a crisis helpline.
Report
I’m sure everyone has heard that life will always kick you down. I think that is true, but it’s always up to you to try and pick yourself back up again, and when you do, good things will come to you. Try to find good things, view life from a different perspective, hope is always there you just have to find it.
Report
0
Users
0
Views
0
Reactions
0
Stories read
For immediate help, visit {{resource}}
Made with in Raleigh, NC
Read our Community Guidelines, Privacy Policy, and Terms
Have feedback? Send it to us
For immediate help, visit {{resource}}
Made with in Raleigh, NC
|
Read our Community Guidelines, Privacy Policy, and Terms
|
Please adhere to our Community Guidelines to help us keep Our Wave a safe space. All messages will be reviewed and identifying information removed before they are posted.
Grounding activity
Find a comfortable place to sit. Gently close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths - in through your nose (count to 3), out through your mouth (count of 3). Now open your eyes and look around you. Name the following out loud:
5 – things you can see (you can look within the room and out of the window)
4 – things you can feel (what is in front of you that you can touch?)
3 – things you can hear
2 – things you can smell
1 – thing you like about yourself.
Take a deep breath to end.
From where you are sitting, look around for things that have a texture or are nice or interesting to look at.
Hold an object in your hand and bring your full focus to it. Look at where shadows fall on parts of it or maybe where there are shapes that form within the object. Feel how heavy or light it is in your hand and what the surface texture feels like under your fingers (This can also be done with a pet if you have one).
Take a deep breath to end.
Ask yourself the following questions and answer them out loud:
1. Where am I?
2. What day of the week is today?
3. What is today’s date?
4. What is the current month?
5. What is the current year?
6. How old am I?
7. What season is it?
Take a deep breath to end.
Put your right hand palm down on your left shoulder. Put your left hand palm down on your right shoulder. Choose a sentence that will strengthen you. For example: “I am powerful.” Say the sentence out loud first and pat your right hand on your left shoulder, then your left hand on your right shoulder.
Alternate the patting. Do ten pats altogether, five on each side, each time repeating your sentences aloud.
Take a deep breath to end.
Cross your arms in front of you and draw them towards your chest. With your right hand, hold your left upper arm. With your left hand, hold your right upper arm. Squeeze gently, and pull your arms inwards. Hold the squeeze for a little while, finding the right amount of squeeze for you in this moment. Hold the tension and release. Then squeeze for a little while again and release. Stay like that for a moment.
Take a deep breath to end.