The Real Version of Truth
By Paige Michalchuk
Everyone has his or her own version of truth. It becomes their own when they put a spin on it to make it favorable on them. There is really only one complete truth but hardly anyone ever hears that version. I am here to tell you the real truth. Not my truth, not a bystander's truth but the real truth as it happened. I am sure by now you are confused; as well you should be but let me explain. A rival school's star athlete raped me last year. I know some of you have heard rumors about the incident, I have heard your whispers. I know some of you heard I was raped and did not believe me. That is okay though, you are about to read the whole truth about what happened that night. I hope you see this for what it is, a confession, an accusation and an honest truth.
It was after we were beat in soccer by the rival school. There was a hot soccer player that I wanted to get to know better. He invited me to a party where he was going to be attending, so I went. I broke a date with my boyfriend to go there, that was wrong of me and I apologize. I went to the party with a friend and found the guy. He gave me a drink, yes it contained alcohol. This was my second mistake, I drank it. I realize that I should have just put it down but I did not want to seem too young for him. My third mistake happened when I saw the guy I was dating enter the backyard. I immediately panicked and followed the guy inside the house. I should have never done that, it was stupid. This led to him leading me up the stairs to a bedroom. Once again, stupid but I was still a little freaked by seeing the other guy. I was naïve and did not think anything could happen to me.
This is when things get bad. He started to kiss me and that I did not mind. Kissing is something I was ready for and willing to participate. He started to stroke my thighs next to my skirt. It felt good, I am human. I shied away from him and tried to push him off. He stopped rubbing my thighs and continued to kiss me. When I started to kiss back, he took it as a go ahead sign. He started to put his hand up my skirt and once again I jerked away from him. He got up off of me and went and turned on the radio. Bad sign, I know but I did not realize it at the time. He came back over and pressed himself against me on the bed. I could not get up and was getting scared. He reached under my skirt, pulled off my panties and shoved his finger inside of me. While straddling my thighs and holding my upper body with one hand, he removed his hand from inside me and unzipped his jeans. He then pulled himself out and just laughed at the expression on my face. I was trying to fight him but he was definitely stronger than I was. I could not get away. He then casually flipped up my skirt, like he did this everyday and raped me. I said no, it was not my choice to lose my virginity in this way. He would not stop until he was finished. I remember becoming detached from myself and going numb. I stopped crying after a few minutes realizing it was not doing any good. He climaxed, laughed again as he pulled out of me, and then zipped his jeans. He waited until I had the mind to pull down my skirt before opening the door and leaving me alone in there. I pulled my underwear back on and ran out the door and down the stairs. I found my friend and pulled her to the nearest exit. I could not get out of there fast enough. I went home and took a shower until the water ran cold. I could not get clean. I felt dirty. I felt like everyone could see what happened to me and my friends would ostracize me. I did not want to go to school the next day in fear that it would show somehow. I did not want anyone to find my out about my shame. I should have just gone on the date with the safe guy and never put myself in that situation. As they say, hindsight is twenty/twenty. I was stupid and I made some mistakes. That does not mean that I deserved to be raped. No one deserves to be raped. It is a violent and brutal crime that should be stopped. Most people think of rapists as dark, lurking shadow in the bushes, but they do not have to be. They could be your son, husband, friend, boyfriend, or the star athlete. A rapist could be someone you have known your entire life.
Please, remember this even if you disregard the rest of my article. It is considered rape the moment you say no. It is your right to say no to having sex. Please, do not be afraid to stand up against a rapist if this ever happens to you. I don't care if he is a friend or not, please take a stand and stop them. It is the only way that they will know their behavior is wrong.