For a lovely lady.
I was mercilessly bullied at school. Graffiti about me adorned the girl's toilet walls, taunts followed me around the corridors, I was spat at and everyday people would shout at me that they hated me. I had very few friends and felt very much alone when I attempted to take my own life for the second time at 15 years old.

Dosed up to the eyeballs on antidepressants, I left hospital a few weeks later.
In a bid to cheer me up a few friends took me to a gig at a local sports club.
I'm sure many of you have been to something similar, drinking illicit cans of cider and having a crafty fag at the back of the hall while 17 year old boys with shaggy hair and bum fluff saunter about trying to impress the girls.
Everything was going well and for the first time in months I was actually having a good time.

I met a boy a few years older than me. He was funny, charming, engaging, well liked and good looking. Everything I was not.

I didn't resist when he tried to kiss me.

When it was time for me to leave he became slightly more forceful and then progressively more agressive. I tried to get away but he was stronger than me. He pulled me down an alley way, hit me, muffled my cries with his hand and raped me.

I was in counselling at the time of the attack at it lasted for a few months afterwards. It didn't help though, I was overwhelmed by everything and was sick of talking about my feelings all of the time.

Not a day has gone by without me thinking about that night. I was so vulnerable at that time and just as I thought things might be getting better for me something happened that very nearly destroyed me. I sometimes even now still have nightmares.

I was going through a really rough patch a few months ago, everything caught up with me and I was pretty close to the edge. I was so desperate for someone to talk to but so scared of being a burden on my friends and family.

Then, I saw two posts on the 'This book changed my life' QOTW written by two women who had been in similar situations.

I contacted one and have since met her.
She is an amazingly strong, brave, caring and truly wonderful person.

I really hope she doesn't mind me posting this but I wanted to say. Without her I wouldn't have had the courage to go to my GP and rape crisis and ask for the help I needed.

She made me realise I don't have to be alone.

That is without a doubt, the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.
( wanderlust, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 16:40, 18 replies)

Really brave of you to post, sweetie
*massive hugs*
( Boss Keloid Got your mother's maiden name tattooed on my arm, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 16:43, closed)

Have a click
I'm sincerely heartened you're feeling more positive since reaching out to your GP. It's a very brave thing to post about so personal a subject, so here's to you getting even stronger in the future.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Tue 7 Oct 2008, 16:46, closed)

Have huge hugs from me
I think I know which posts you're talking about, and when I posted my story, it was in the hope that at least one person would have the courage to come forward about their situations (not necessarily on here, just to someone).
I'm glad you did.

*hugs* *clicks*
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 17:06, closed)

Well done for going along to your GP, and rape crisis centre
And well done to the person who helped you find the strength to make that first step. I can't imagine what it's like, but taking the first step in anything is often the hardest, and I hope (and it sounds like) you're getting the help you deserve now.
( LemonEntryMyDearWatson This time, Moriarty, the hand is on the other foot, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 17:08, closed)

*hugs*
It's horrible when life goes so terribly, awfully wrong for the most undeserving of people.
I wish you the very best of luck for the future.
( warmfuzzies Isn't here, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 17:17, closed)

I had no idea you'd gone through this, Lusty
Really glad you managed to get help in the end, and well done to the other QOTWer who helped you through it.

*enhuggles*
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 19:11, closed)

Yup, what they all said
and *hugs*
(Juan Quar is clinging to her front teeth on, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 19:20, closed)

*hugs*
and what they all said ^^

*hugs*
(TheWeeWitch hasn't been here much recently .., Tue 7 Oct 2008, 19:28, closed)

Speechless
No words, just hugs. I'm proud to have met you.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Tue 7 Oct 2008, 20:01, closed)

If it's any consolation
I should tell you that the Wanderlust I know is a beautiful and strong woman who gives off an extremely positive attitude and is one who I am proud to call a friend.

So I should be thanking that other QOTWer as well.
(Lucy Van Pelt embracing ginlovers, Tue 7 Oct 2008, 20:24, closed)

* clickyhugs *
Thanks for sharing with us. I had no idea how close a very wonderful person came to an end!!!

Reading things like this, it makes me think that t3am b3ta should be dispatched to rescue lost souls like what you once were.

This other QOTWer deserves a fucking medal!
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Wed 8 Oct 2008, 2:53, closed)

Well
I dunno what to say really, other than good for you, for getting yourself help, and for a well-written and moving post.
( Noeli overtheshoulderboulderholderthingstraplatchboobs, Wed 8 Oct 2008, 8:52, closed)

*hugs*
An awful, awful thing, but you are fighting back. You are awesome - remember that always...
( e.m.m.y. foxtrot uniform charlie kilo india tango, Wed 8 Oct 2008, 10:19, closed)

^^ What they all said
And a hug too
( snee held his breath since, Wed 8 Oct 2008, 11:29, closed)

Powerful story
I'm finding it hard to put into words how glad I am that you have taken the steps to get the help you deserve. Both you and the other lady are the purest examples of wonderful human beings.
( Labia Majora You keep on talking but it makes no sense at all, Wed 8 Oct 2008, 16:11, closed)

Brave lady
what they all said + infinity and more. Glad your on the upswing, I know how hard it is to ask for help, your a brave lady,
*clicks*
(orangejuicejohns, Wed 8 Oct 2008, 18:29, closed)

No words, no touching....
..but quietly bringing you hot tea.

:)
(EffinDoubt is breaking glass on, Thu 9 Oct 2008, 13:59, closed)