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ARIZONA SEXUAL ASSAULT NETWORK

Inspire someone to seek help by
anonymously sharing your personal
experience surviving sexual assault.

Read Survivor Stories...

“Reducing the Threat of Sexual Violence”

Survivor Stories

IMPORTANT WARNING: This page details different accounts of sexual assault. If you have been a victim of sexual assault, these may be very difficult to read and may trigger memories of your experience. Some are contain slight graphic descriptions, please read with caution.

Mary’s Story

"I was raped when I was 15. I had heard about "date rape," but I never thought it could happen to me. Afterwards, I was in shock. Even though he held me down and threatened to hurt me if I didn't do what he said, for a long time I couldn't use the word "rape" when I talked about it. When I was able to tell my friend, I found out that it had happened to her too. "

-Mary

Frank’s Story

"My parents died in car accident when I was a 2 years old. I was sent to live with my uncle and he sexually abused me. Life was nothing but being in pain or expecting pain. I kept wishing I'd never been born. For 12 years he made me feel I deserved everything he did to me. He would tell me he would kill me if I ever told anyone but I was living like I would rather be dead anyway. Eventually something inside of me started to get increasingly tired of putting up with his abuse. I was getting more and more angry at everything. After getting in trouble in class at school, a teacher asked me if anything was going on at home and I told her my uncle was forcing me to have sex with him. I thought she wouldn’t believe me but I didn’t care I was so angry. She helped me tell the police and now I live with a family of people who love me and care for me. I never dreamed it could actually happen. It was really hard at first, but with help from my counselor I am learning to trust my new family.  I have started to pull my new life together and I now am beginning to understand what being loved means. I'd just like to thank everyone who has helped me and to let others know that you are not alone.”
-Frank

Angela’s Story
"When I was attacked three years ago, the rapist told me not to tell anyone and I didn't. No one knew. Even though I never saw the rapist again, I felt like he still had some kind of power over me. About a year ago, I finally got into counseling and started talking to my close friends about what happened to me. Last week, I went to the police. I thought they would laugh at me because I came in so late, but they were really professional about it. They took my report. Even if they never find my rapist, I feel stronger because I reported him. I was silent then, but I'm not silent now."

-Angela

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