Even though sexual assault has received growing attention in the past 20 years, acquaintance rape is still underemphasized. Although, approximately 70% of all rapes and 168,000 women each year are raped by someone they know. Young women are the biggest target of sexual assault, primarily high school and college age women. Currently, there are no autobiographies solely concerned with date rape. Being raped by your peers can result in higher levels of self-blame and guilt, and shouldn’t be grouped together with stranger rape scenarios.
Smashing Silence was written to bring awareness about date rape and promote recovery for women and their loved ones. It details the feelings and reactions that are common among sexual assault survivors. The psychological effects described in the book include: post-traumatic stress disorder, nightmares, flashbacks, depression, sleep difficulties, persistent fears, obsessive-compulsive disorder, suicidal ideation, continuing anxiety, loss of control, self-blame, outbursts of anger and panic attacks. The autobiography also expresses the importance of therapy during the coping process to help women gain empowerment, self-awareness and healing. In addition, it emphasizes the significance of a strong social network while trying to cope with sexual assault.
For all those young women out there stuggling with sexual violence, please know that you are not alone. I hope my memoir will encourage you to continue to find happiness in your life and overcome the suffering inflicted from rape.