Trigger warning: This post deals with rape and sexual abuse, so may be triggering for some readers.
Michele* is 44 years old.
She’s a mother, a wife, and after one Friday night, she also became the survivor of rape.
Telling her story to news.com.au, Michele reveals the horrific details about the event that completely changed her life one night in a small coastal town in Australia.
Michele had just been looking forward to night out with her friends – away from the kids and her partner.
She remembers being at the pub when a group of men approached her friends to buy them drinks. They refused, but one kept persisting with her.
Is rape a male or female issue? We have a very clear opinion. (Post continues after video.)
She had very little interaction with him, she told news.com.au. But she remembers him giving her a drink, which she assumes she consumed.
Michele then continued onto a nightclub with one of her sons and his friends, planning to have one more drink.
There, she remembers seeing some men who looked “vaguely familiar” but much of the traumatic night is blurred for Michele. She can’t remember having particular drinks, and has been forced to connect the dots or guess at what she thinks happens.
Top Comments
As a survivor of a one glass of wine date rape a few New Years ago I'm sad to say I didn't report it! I was ashamed and blamed my own stupidity. I'm also familiar with our legal system which often puts the victim through much trauma and ridicule. I felt with little evidence and my word against his it wasn't worth putting myself through it all. In this day of technology I was also concerned what if they'd filmed it and made it public - I'm a professional. I justified my actions and now I live with those choices. I did however give him a 'hiding' the next day when the drugs wore off and almost broke his jaw thinking of all the other women who'd been betrayed by men like him! If the treatment of victims continues to change perhaps more victims of such assaults would come forward and make such reports.
I hope all of these disgusting monsters are caught and held accountable.
Thankyou for reporting to the authorities Michele and for sharing your story - you are so strong xxx