Warning: This is the support group. They are going to talk about domestic violence, child molestion, rape. If you don't like it, don't read.
I walked into the church basement and it was a little easier to be here this week. Jasper dropped me off and was going to take me to dinner afterwards. I walked into the room, and smelled fresh coffee, and looked to see cookies laid out.
"Hey Serina," said Anna. "Grab one. We are about to get started."
I poured myself some coffee, adding two spoonfuls of sugar, no cream, and went to sit with the group. I sipped the coffee, and it tasted disgusting, but it was warm, it would give me something to do instead of awkwardly sitting there so I continued to sip it.
I sat by a girl with black hair, wearing a crop top, jeans, and some pumps. She slid over as I turned squeezed in and sat down beside her.
"Hey," I said hoarsely.
She scrunched her eyes and analyzed me. "You new?"
"I came last week, but yeah."
"Did it help?"
I shrugged.
"Give it time."
Anna came in and sat down. "Alright," she said. "How was everybody's week?"
I shrugged. A few mumbled okay. It looked like no one felt awesome tonight.
"Well," continued Anna, "welcome to DOVE Support group. You guys know the rules so I am not going to go through that. I just want to let you know that this is a place of healing. We are here because we are survivors of domestic violence and rape. Together we can do this. Who wants to go first."
"I'll go first," said a girl. "Hi I am Lucy. I am a survivor of rape." Her voice started cracking. "Um, this week, I got a call from campus security. They said that they are not going to charge Mac with rape because we were going out, and I had consented before. People at the party said that we were flirting and left together, so that implies that it was consensual."
"WHAT?!" Anna said outraged. "But you were drugged."
"They said I chose to take the drugs. So I am responsible for the actions."
"Who is this?" I said outraged.
"Campus Police at my college."
"I am from a small town in Forks. I know the Chief of Police, I will see if I can get something done. That is ridiculous," I said.
"Do you think he can?"
If Charlie can't do something about this Edward will. But I don't need to give her false hope.
"I don't know," I said, looking her in the eyes. "I will try."
"Okay. Well, we are all here for you Lucy, and Sisi if you need anything to help with the investigation just let us know. Who is next?"
"I'd like to share," said a redhead. "Hi I am Kaitlyn, and I have a huge problem. We are having a family reunion in three weeks up in Vancouver, and he is going to be there. I so don't want to go, but I don't know how to not disappoint my mother."
"Who is he?" I asked.
"My Uncle," she said.
"Do you feel he will hurt you?" asked Anna.
"No, but I don't want to be in the same room with him."
"Is there a way to get out of it?" asked Ally.
"I can't think of anything?"
"Can I say something," I said.
"Sure," said Anna.
"What is your biggest fear if you out your uncle?" I asked.
"You mean tell my family what he did? Die of humiliation. They could never talk to me."
"Why?"
"What if they thought I played a part in it?"
"Wouldn't it be nice if they killed him for touching you?" I asked.
She nodded, tears in her eyes.
"Have they done anything to make you think they don't value your safety and love you?"
She shook her head.
"Who do you think would kill him quicker? Your dad or your mom?"
"My mom."
"Call her," I said.
She looked to Ana, asking for permission. Ana nodded eagerly. Katlyn took out her phone and typed her mom's phone number.
"Mom hi, can you talk?...I feel really uncomfortable going on the trip with Uncle Stuart….Well…" She looked at me.
I smiled and mouthed, "we are all here for you."
"When I was little he would hug and kiss me, but then he would touch my breast and play with me and it scared me. And I know I am a big girl now but I think he wants to do it again and I don't want to go on the trip with him….He said it was our little secret….I am at a domestic violence and rape support group….Yeah there are a lot of girls here…..There is a modulator here, and there is a counselor here."
Wait, was she talking about me?
"Yeah," she handed the phone to me.
"What the hell am I supposed to do?" I asked.
"Just talk to her," said Katlyn.
"What is your last name?"
"Garner," she said, throwing me the phone.
I caught it, and put the phone up to my ear, "Hello Ms. Garner, my name is Serina Ricci."
"Are you Kate's therapist?"
"No ma'am but I am a therapist. I run a practice in Forks, Washington. It is a small town by the coast."
"Are you the facilitator?"
"No, we have a facilitator. I can give you over to her."
"What does your facilitator do for a living?"
"Hang on. Anna what do you do for a living?"
"Secretary for a business manager."
"She is a secretary at a business in Port Angeles," I said to the phone.
"I'd rather talk to you. How do I arrest the bastard?"
"Well, I am from Italy, but I would imagine, you would call the police and file a report."
"And they will pick him up?"
"They should."
"What does she need?"
"People tend to blame the victim, saying they lead the perp on or left themselves vulnerable. She needs to know that what happened to her was out of her control, and he is the one to blame. Also, we proud ourselves on not being victims but survivors meaning we are the masters of our own fates, and just because we are knocked down, does not mean that we can't get back up. Now that you know you will want to know everything, remember that this is shameful and embarrassing, and it will take a long time before she talks."
"Should she see a psychiatrist or a shrink?"
"Well, that is really up to her. If you drag her there and she says nothing, you are wasting your money. The same thing happened to me, and I have responded better to support groups than individual therapists. As for medicine, many psychosis, like PTSD and depression are common, and medicine would help. I would call and talk to see if her mood is shifting and we all keep tabs on each other. But again it is ultimately her choice. You don't want to spend money on meds for her to flush down the toilet."
"Do meds help?"
"They can. It depends on the situation. If you treat them like a miracle, you will be disappointed. I am not on medicine."
"Okay."
"I will hand you back to your daughter," I said, and handed the phone to Katlyn.
Katlyn grabbed the phone, and picked up her purse. "I am going to go deal with this," she said.
We nodded, and she walked out of the room.
"Mom, stop crying," she said on the phone.
"Whose next?" ask Anna.
Another girl raised her hand.
