Jullianna wrote to me about two years ago about her brother molesting her during her young adolescence. She was now in college and pursuing a nursing degree. She had read "Invisible Girls" gone to the Girlthrive website and found inspiration. She sent me her story- it was the first time she began to process. "Invisible Girls" helped her to begin healing at around 19 years old. I awarded Julianna a Girlthrive Scholarship stipend for her studies. We kept in touch. She was making smarter decisions regarding men, dating, drinking etc. She sent me a photo in the mail early last year of her and her brother- actually dealing directly with each other, beginning to heal. Cut to the other day... I get an email from Julianna telling me she was raped by her girlfriends ex-boyfriend at a party. She drank too much, blacked out, and then woke up half naked and knew that the "friend" had raped her. There were also witnesses at the party who saw him take her into his bedroom- Julianna went to the hospital and the police. She wrote that she was afraid that I would be disappointed in her for drinking, and getting raped. She was clear that even though she was drunk, the rape was not her fault ! She wanted to prosecute. Her family does not support her on very much emotionally, they are not close, and she did not tell them. Of course I was so proud of her for writing to me and sharing her experience. I wrote back telling her I was proud and thought she was so very brave to report the rape. Well yesterday Julie called me on my cell! She had just come from the courts and her charges against the rapist stuck. There is a warrant out for his arrest, he will spend Christmas in jail- they are going to trial! Julliana found out that he had also raped other girls- she feels she is not only saving herself but other girls too. Although the ex girlfriend of the rapist is still friendly with the rapist, has rejected Jullaina, she will not tell her parents because they will most likely blame her, the lawyers in court made her out to be to blame and a drunk slut, .... Julianna is happy, she is proud. Many people who were at the party came forward in her support as witnesses- I got to be "Dr. Patti Mommy" I got the chance to be Julliana's good mommy at the moment where she called ME when she left the court room. Girls you have no idea what an honor it is to be in your lives- I am so touched and moved by all of you every day. !!! Sharing Great News xo dr. Patti
Friday, December 19
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About "Invisible Girls"
- Dr Patti
- United States
- "Invisible Girls" tells the truth about sexual abuse as no other book has! Rather than me telling you how the book is touching girls around the world, I will tell you what they are saying! Now in 2009 we have our new and revised edition of "Invisible Girls" - we have added 100 pages, a chapter about prostituion as sex abuse, a chapter filled with emails recieved over the past 5 years- Please check out our 2nd edition! xo dr. p "Invisible Girls has saved my life. I was afraid that I was the only girl keeping these secrets, and when I read "Invisible Girls" I starting telling about my abuse, and suddenly I knew I could be alright"- Sue 18 years old "Invisible Girls" is short of a miracle- I read it whenever I feel alone. It helps me to deal and grow and go on."- Tamar 17 years old "Until I read "Invisible Girls" I was afraid to tell what happened to me. Now my mum is supportive and I know I can heal" Britney 14 years old
5 comments:
Julianna is brave to after go the guy and make sure something was done to stop him.I was rape by my boyfriend last June. I never told anybody.I wish I had the courage she does.
Dear Dr. Patti,
Your post brought tears to my eyes. First, Julianna is such an incredibly brave woman whose inner-strength is palpable through the written word. Although I do not know Julianna, I too, am proud of her brave and courageous nature. Your actions are so empowering to not only you but every woman reading this post. Your situation sounds quite similar to mine as I was sexually abused for many of my childhood years. I, too, studied nursing and was again raped my freshman year of college. My story took a different turn that I am not proud of, but you SHOULD be proud of yourself. You are truly an inspiration to many and I'm so grateful that dr. patti told us about you.
All the best,
anonymous
Oh wow, anonymous-your post just brought tears to MY eyes. I am so sorry to hear that you've gone thru this too. It's such an invasion and I don't know why any guy thinks he has the right to steal something so priceless, something that can never be given back, and tear down another human being this way. They are monsters that masquerade as gentlemen. I know how difficult it is to move on from something so horrible, when you just want to scream it at the top of your lungs because people don't understand why some days are harder than others to get thru. But, just that you've made it this far is quite a testimony and you should be proud of yourself too. We all do things we're not proud of (unfortunately, I do dumb stuff all the time)But don't let this monster steal any more of your life. Take it back.
I am honestly so proud of you Jullianna! I cried reading this! I wish I was brave as you were!
I went through the reporting process as I was turning 17. I told a teacher and long story short we eventually ended up in a police station. My parents did not support me. 16 years of my life I lived through h*ll...right under their roof. I recanted. Today "he" is free- I live by my parents rules.
I wish I had your strength. When Dr. Patty wrote "She was clear that even though she was drunk, the rape was not her fault!" I cried. I am proud of you for believing that!
You are truly amazing!
It's so hard when people don't believe you...especially when they are the ones that are supposed to stick by you and support you no matter what (like your parents). I think that's why it hurts so much. You did what you had to do at the time, and you made it, you survived, and I understand-I've been there and just surviving it is nothing short of a miracle. It gets hard somedays and I have to convince myself all over again that it wasn't my fault. Lots of people get drunk but that doesn't mean they deserve to be raped.
You know what happened, and he knows what happened...and he's gotta live with that, because HE'S the guilty one, not you.
Take care of yourself lady.
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