For the first time, Ella told someone about what happened on the way home from school. The therapist asked directly whether or not Ella had been raped or sexually abused. She was placed in a residential treatment facility for her addiction. When Ella returned home for the summer, her parents immediately noticed a problem with her drinking. As many of her problems were external, Ella felt that the medication did not help therefore stopped taking it. She was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and sent to a psychiatrist who gave her medication. She explained her irritability and at times violent outbursts. Again, she was not asked directly about a history of sexual assault. Her parents again intervened and sent her to a therapist. Fights with her boyfriend became more frequent and at one point she began to cut her arms “just to get a hold of herself.” She started to think of suicide. This only created more discord with her parents. She was reprimanded for poor judgment and placed on academic probation. At one point, she was referred by one of her professors to student services after coming to class intoxicated. She began dating a man who was verbally and physically abusive. Soon she went away to college and her drinking increased significantly. Family therapy was recommended as the majority of problems seemed to surround her parents. She was placed on a common antidepressant and sent on her way. Never was she questioned about a history of sexual assault, nor would she volunteer the information. She discussed the symptoms of depression and her inability to sleep. She began to isolate more and more.Īt the request of her parents, Ella went to see a psychiatrist. Her temper was extremely short which created problems with her friends. Ella also began drinking more on weekends and was smoking marijuana at night just to be able to fall asleep. What her parents weren’t aware of was that she slept very little throughout the night due to nightmares. She started having more arguments with her parents as they were constantly frustrated by her unwillingness to get up to go to school. However, after the rape, she started having problems in school and became increasingly anxious. After dinner, she completed her homework and went to bed.Įlla attempted to put the assault out of her mind, never telling anyone. When asked if there was something wrong, she said that practice had been difficult. Knowing that her absence would be noticed, she sat at the dinner table pretending as if nothing happened. After that, her mother asked her to come down to dinner. She came home that day, went up to her room, and took a shower. He drove her right to her home without having to ask directions.Įlla never told anyone about the assault. When he was finished, he told her to get dressed and get in the front seat. When they reached the van, he proceeded to rape her. He said that he would be able to give her a ride home afterwards. He approached her asking her to help him lift something in to his van. The man who assaulted her was someone that she knew from school. Their story may be theirs…but the journey belongs to everyone.Įlla was raped at 17 when she was walking home from volleyball practice. So many survivors believe that they are alone on a journey. However, the lasting effects of rape can be mitigated by uncovering the power that may feel like it was cleverly concealed. It can be hidden under scars that feel like they will last a lifetime. The immense power within a woman cannot be destroyed. Not only is this notion erroneous, but it is what keeps many woman silent. It has been said that when a woman is raped, her power is taken away.
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