Still Worthy of Love
Tonia was 15 years old the first time she was raped. She went to swim in an outdoor pool. There was another family there and she felt safe enough. But when the family went back to their room, it was just her and this man and he had ideas that had not crossed her mind.
Watch Tonia's Story
He followed her up to her room, "Just to make sure she was okay." And then he followed her inside. Afterwards he ran a bath for her and that’s where they found her the next morning, sitting in a tub full of cold water.
When she was 21 it happened again. She thought she was going out to watch movies with her boyfriend and a few friends. She had no idea that she was going to be the “entertainment” that night.
It has taken years for Tonia to work through the shame and guilt of what happened to her, even though what happened was NOT her fault. She had to learn to forgive herself and that started with understanding that she is not defined by what happened to her. In time she came to understand that she is worthy of love. She found that her value has not been tarnished by the evil others have done to her.
If you are a survivor of rape, the wounds are deep, the scars are severe, the emotions are complex. But you’re not alone. If you leave your information below, someone on our team will connect with you.
See also: Maureen’s story: "Hidden Things." Or for a male perspective on being sexually abused, read Shane's story.
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These issues can be hard to face. If you’re considering harming yourself or others, please read this!
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