Is Sexual Assault a Social Justice Issue?

Wendy Anderson • December 9, 2021

Speaking Our Truths

We have a voice that isn’t often heard, an experience that receives very little attention. A conversation that is challenging to start and the continuous negative public stigma or appearance of broken people and shattered lives. We are not either; these perceptions must change. As a person who experienced a sexual assault, we are pushed into the shadows, misunderstood and feel as though we are alone; never feeling the confidence to bring this conversation to the table for fear of judgment and the discomfort it creates.

I am an advocate for those living with sexual assault and this IS a Social Justice issue.

Social, for all persons who went through this traumatic experience. I along with so many others feel as though we are mentally and emotionally closed off from society which generally lead to silent suffering versus taking the risk of being judged in public. We also feel as though we are alienated from speaking our truths to those who are not open to having this discussion and sadly, “those” are our mothers’, fathers’, siblings’, relatives’, friends’, spouse or significant other.

The majority of us haven’t seen justice served in the court of law and in the event the perpetration is brought to justice, we continue to carry the responsibility of living with this trauma for the rest of our lives. And I humbly ask, where is the justice?

These are the issue(s) we must address. Creating more avenues for people to receive clinical solutions, therapeutic guidance, group counseling and empowerment programs. I need your support to continue my commitment to serving those who have experienced a sexual assault; providing a safe environment where individuals and families can communicate and heal together. We can offer a training ground to combat the barriers and promote personal growth.

Being a victim of rape is the problem, however recognizing the need for an array of services to assist those living with this trauma, can help create a solution. This is an issue that we can no longer continue to ignore and we together must address.

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Why Trauma To Truth? Part 3

By Wendy Anderson • August 19, 2021

PART 3: Why Trauma to Truth? I want to help those who may have experienced a trauma relating to rape and/or sexual assault understand the nature of their trauma; how their trauma may lead to feelings relating to anger, frustration, fear, etc. and how these feelings may lead to anxiety and/or depression; understanding that the pain, hurt or anger of trauma may not ever go away; however, one can learn how to manage the thoughts and feelings associated with trauma so that it will not continue to negatively impact their life. Most importantly, I want those who have experienced a trauma be able to live a fulfilling life despite their traumatic experience and that they do not have to explain, because I understand what they are feeling without a detail explanation.

Why Trauma To Truth?

By Wendy Anderson • August 7, 2021

PART 2: Why Trauma to Truth? At this moment, you are feeling alone; you do not know who to talk to; who to trust and all you want is something that will make the hurt, anger and pain go away; something that does not require you to think or feel. I can’t promise that the pain, anger or hurt will go away. I can’t make any promises at this time. The only thing that I can say is that together, we can learn how to identify the feelings and thoughts that cause the hurt, anger and pain and build coping skills to manage those feelings. Please remember you don’t have to be alone; I will take this journey with you.

Why Trauma To Truth?

By Wendy Anderson • July 30, 2021

PART 1: Why Trauma to Truth? In 2018, I started my journey with understanding my "truths" as it related to my "trauma." As I sought to identify my truths, I didn't realize that I had to start at the very beginning to learn and understand how "my truths" were formed. As I learned more about the trauma of my sexual assault, I had to recall everything that happened from the first time I talked about the rape and sexual assault and everything that came afterwards. Today, instead of "recalling", I have learned to "reclaim" my life that 34 years that the "trauma" took away. As I continue my journey, I want to advocate for the women whose voice was silenced because of their inability to express their thoughts and feelings as it relates to their trauma(s).