Many people believe that if a sexual assault victim survives a rape, the trauma is over. Too often however, the trauma, stress and degradation have only begun. Through a group called Natural Born Survivors, Skyvara's own brainchild, this courageous young woman is currently conducting forums across Houston designed to provide much-needed information to women regarding the roles of police and hospitals, the legal system and women's centers, as well as how to deal with unexpected reactions from family and friends. I had to fight to get protection against disease and pregnancy after being raped and brutalized. Doctors and hospitals are not required to provide these - and sometimes act as though we are the criminals, as though we don't deserve their concern and help.
Rape can leave a woman feeling completely violated and powerless.
We need to know how to protect ourselves and how to follow the specific procedures necessary to ensure that these vicious, cowardly monsters don't hurt anyone else. Skyvara says she's shocked at the callous apathy with which many rape victims are dealt with in 'the system'. Although rape is a crime of power, not sexuality, sexual assault survivors are frequently treated in an accusatory manner and told to 'shut up', to 'stop making waves' and to 'get over it'. It's a vicious, violent assault. We did not ask to be hurt, but we are asking to be heard, to be taken seriously and to be helped.