I was SA’d two years ago and the time has finally come for him to be sentenced. I have to go in tomorrow morning at 9:30 and read my victim impact statement and I’m really scared. It’s the first time in two years I will have to see him and I’ve been having nightmares about this moment the entire time.
I don’t generally post, but I could really use some support from other women, victims, and people who have been there. Even just some words of encouragement would be so welcome. I’m just a mess and I feel so alone right now.
Thank you
Comments
Login here to leave a comment
You are so brave. Sending you strength for whatever wil come. You got this. 🤍
Being brave is not about being unafraid…. it is standing up to do the right thing in the face of your fear.
Do you have a written statement that you can just read off? That would make it easier to focus on the paper & not other people in the room.
Breath slow & deep, focus on taking back your power.
You are a survivor & the words you say in court will help protect other people from this monster.
You Got This.
XO
Bravery is hard to come by. And harder to choose. You’ve already been so brave, and already survived so much. I’m wishing you the best. You aren’t alone, you will never be alone. I see all of us fight and so bravely move forward through way too many things. Â
Wishing you strength and bravery
You carry a great power within you. That power is the truth. Know that you are a strong, brave woman, you are the hope of generations. You got this. ❤️
You are so resilient and courageous. I can only imagine how nerve wracking it’ll be. I’m sending you all the strength and positive energy for tomorrow.
Thank you. For all of us who aren’t as brave as you… For anyone who isn’t raped because your able to get your point across tomorrow… For all of us who let our chances to confront go…. Speak for us. Feel my loud voice and sarcasm, feel my fuck y’all! Feel my soft shoulder if you need to bow your head for a minute. Feel my arms around you if you need support. My rapist is on the other side of the world. Speak slowly and distinctly so he can hear you.
I am so proud of you. You are my hero. Thank you for speaking up. I’m so sorry that he hurt you, but he is absolutely powerless now. Thank you for doing this.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are representing so many women who were / are unable to do what you are doing . You got this; please up date us.
Sending support and love. You are amazing đź’—đź’—đź’—
Do you have the rest of the day free after?
Reclaim your day and do something special for yourself.
You’re being incredibly brave and so, so strong.
Thank you, for your bravery, and for your commitment to making sure he does not do this again. Bless you. You’ve got this, love.
Sweets, you are soooo brave. Brave is being scared shitless, but doing the thing anyway.
Maybe face the judge, so that you don’t have to look at the perpetrator. That might help?Â
Kia kaha, stay strong.
I’m sorry you’re in this position, but proud that you’re choosing to step up and speak. It will be hard, but when you’re done, you’re done! This difficult thing will be behind you. That’s not to say that you’ll be unchanged, of course. But that you’re in a new chapter; you have some power to choose some pieces of your pain to leave in the courtroom, and choose to step into what’s next.
Take some time to reflect on what makes you “you.” You are not your trauma. You are a delightfully complex and lovely person and this is just one part of your story. Tomorrow’s focus will only be on one small part of who you are.
Victim statements are so important and powerful. Above all, you are doing this for yourself. Because you choose to love you and to fight for you. Because you are worth defending. Worth hearing.
Sending whatever strength I have to lend for the day! I will be thinking of you, sister.
I am so with you, Love. Sending you my strength.
As quoted by advocate Maggie Kuhn, and later Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:
Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind – even if your voice shakes.
You are inheriting and upholding the legacy of great women. You yourself are a great woman. Even if your voice shakes, you are becoming a legend just by daring to speak against men who would prefer your lifelong silence.
You are amazing. You are bold. You’ve got this, girl.
May you stand straight and tall. May your hands hold steady. May your gaze pierce and your words strike true. May you hold your head high and walk with a stride that has ten times the power he tried to take from you.