One show that I have enjoyed is Private Practice, a spin-off of Grey's Anatomy.
In the last few episodes they have dealt with the attack and rape of "Charlotte", a tough as nails, gritty southern woman who over her years as a doctor battled an addiction to pain killers.
Charlotte is determined that she doesn't want anyone to pity her, that it happened it was awful and she is never going to face this again.
The thing about Charlotte that bugged me was her mistaking that acting tough, meant she was strong enough to deal with it alone. That by not requesting a rape kit and reporting it to police meant she would never have to deal with it again.
I know that these situations happen and I know that they were trying to reach a certain audience who it may help. But in three parts? I mean they were as graphic as they could get on network television! And I can't get it out of my head!
There are actually quite a few women in my life who have been raped in their lives and I don't know if any of them has ever had anything done about it. Not that they needed to share it with me, but what if the men who raped them, raped other women? What if they could have prevented the attack of someone else?
I know that God allows us to go through things in our lives, that further on help us and strengthen us. I know that, but if you can save someone else?
If you are a victim of an attack of any nature and you never stepped forward... I admit that I do not understand your choice!
Three years ago I was in a Super America buying some snacks for Michael to bring to work with him, it was around 9:15 pm (he was doing overnights at Target back then) and a man with a gun stood right next to me and demanded the money from the cashier. His arm touched my arm and when I didn't get out of his way right away he shoved me over and pointed the gun at me. I was stuck against the wall and I had to decide if I was going to stay there or if I was going to try to run for the door! I was terrified! If I moved was he going to shoot me?
After the robber ran away I could have said to Michael, "I wanna go home and I never want to think about this again!" I was scared! I wanted to get out of there and I had no idea if that guy would be able to come after me if I talked to police. But instead of trying to get away from it, I stayed and I gave my account of what happened. I don't know if he was ever caught, but I know that my statement may have helped!
No I wasn't violated. But I was still a victim in a very scary situation. If you have ever or are ever in that situation you need to speak up. And speak up until someone listens!!!
It is not the "brave" thing to do to be silent! No, you did not ask for that situation to happen to you, you may feel like something was stolen from you, but something is also available to you! The power to save someone else! The power to put your attacker behind bars and/or get them the help they need.
I hope that I never have to experience a situation worse than what I went through and I hope that you will never experience what many before you have.
But please remember that no matter what that God loves you and what is meant for evil, He can make beautiful!
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