Valerie always wanted to be the smart girl. The pretty girl. The popular girl.
But not the rape girl.
That’s who she is now. Rape Girl. Because everyone seems to think they know the truth about what happened with Adam that day, and they don’t think Valerie’s telling it.
Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.
The real truth is, nothing will ever be the same
It should never had happened. She said no, but he didn't listen.
Valerie is having a party, her mother has gone away for the weekend, leaving Valerie and her six year old sister alone in the house. Her sister is put to bed as the party goers start arriving, and soon the binge drinking begins.
After a few drinks, Valerie is slightly tipsy, just in time to see Adam arrive, the boy of Valerie's dreams. After a daring game of spin the bottle, Valerie is far too drunk, vomits, and passes out.
When Valerie wakes to a hangover, her clothing in disarray, and Adam perched too close for comfort, whispering coercion, holding her down. She said no, but he didn't walk away.
A rape test, pending criminal charges, school taunts, lies and malicious friends are a result of Valerie being brave enough to tell someone. She's treated as the instigator, that she's lying to gain popularity, she's a whore, or poor Adam is being victimised. The police don't seemed to believe her, her legal representatives clearly have no interest in trying the case, and her school has allowed Valerie to be bullied, often catering to that of the accused, Adam.
Valerie is strong, she's an inspiration to girls who are victims of sexual abuse. This will not define her.
Rape Girl made me beyond furious at the treatment of Valerie. She was painted by peers and trusted adults as a liar, that she was promiscuous, to stop playing the victim and move on with her life, often giving the impression that she had no right to tell anyone about what happened to her. But for all of the judgmental, so called 'inconvenienced' adults that Valerie should have been able to trust, luckily she had pillars of support. An unlikely friend, a councilor, a cute barista, a victim support group and her loving mother. It was the difference between living... And self destructing.
Rape Girl
Written By Anna Klein
Published 01 / 09 / 2012
126 Pages