By Dee
TW: Rape
When I was placed in the care system aged fourteen years old, due to my single mum being in hospital, I should have been safe. It was short lived. A much older resident targeted me and he attacked me twice in two weeks. He raped me, he threatened me, and he intimidated me daily.
During the second attack he kicked down a bathroom door and dragged me, screaming, thumping my knuckles as I clung onto the door frame. I knew what was coming. He was facilitated in carrying out these attacks by the lack of staff supervision and complicity.
It took me 35 years to report it, even to admit and talk about the assaults. The police questioned the rapist and due to the lack of evidence it didn’t get to court.
He is a known criminal to them.
Please find the courage to report an assault as soon as you can. It is not easy but it is necessary if the attacker is to be held responsible. That choice, however hard, will help you to cope and become stronger, and it is essential for your healing and recovery.