Some of you may not know but April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Many of you also may not know that growing up I (Jessica) was abused as a child. At the age of 6-8 and then again at the age of 10-11 I was sexually assaulted. It is something that has haunted me for years but I'm happy to say that now a days it no longer bothers me the way it used to. May of the things that had happened my mind blocked and I don't remember. Other things I do. I wanted to talk about this because this is a topic that we should talk about. Esp. with me being a parent it is one topic that you should talk to your kids about. Or if you are the kid talk to your parents.
The following was taken from the article via Book Riot. Please take the time to check the link a the bottom of this for more information!
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It’s been really difficult to grasp the importance of the topic of sexual assault lately, especially following the not guilty verdict of the Jian Ghomeshi case, wherein the victims of assault were called liars by the judge for not coming forward soon enough and not recalling specific details of the trauma they incurred. Of course, that is one case of hundreds each year, and it’s one case that highlights precisely why victims choose not to speak up or out. It’d be easy to name many more without even thinking too hard about it.
I’d like to take the opportunity with this newsletter to talk about and highlight some of the incredible young adult books that explore issues relating to sexual assault and rape culture. The only way that we’re able to make change as a culture is to talk about it, as well as make real effort in understanding the short- and long- term effects of such violence against victims. All descriptions are from Goodreads and titles are listed alphabetically. This is a very white, straight list -- which is worth an entire newsletter in and of itself -- Note that this is not comprehensive. Likewise, I highly recommend checking out this recent NPR piece about the value YA lit has in teaching teens about consent and sex.
The following books are ones that Ive (Jessica) have read! For a complete list via this article please click the link at the bottom of this post.
All The Rage by Courtney Summers: The sheriff’s son, Kellan Turner, is not the golden boy everyone thinks he is, and Romy Grey knows that for a fact. Because no one wants to believe a girl from the wrong side of town, the truth about him has cost her everything—friends, family, and her community. Branded a liar and bullied relentlessly by a group of kids she used to hang out with, Romy’s only refuge is the diner where she works outside of town. No one knows her name or her past there; she can finally be anonymous. But when a girl with ties to both Romy and Kellan goes missing after a party, and news of him assaulting another girl in a town close by gets out, Romy must decide whether she wants to fight or carry the burden of knowing more girls could get hurt if she doesn’t speak up. Nobody believed her the first time—and they certainly won’t now — but the cost of her silence might be more than she can bear. 
Faking Normal by Courtney C Stevens: Alexi Littrell hasn't told anyone what happened to her over the summer. Ashamed and embarrassed, she hides in her closet and compulsively scratches the back of her neck, trying to make the outside hurt more than the inside does.
When Bodee Lennox, the quiet and awkward boy next door, comes to live with the Littrells, Alexi discovers an unlikely friend in "the Kool-Aid Kid," who has secrets of his own. As they lean on each other for support, Alexi gives him the strength to deal with his past, and Bodee helps her find the courage to finally face the truth.
The Way I Used To Be by Amber Smith: Eden was always good at being good. Starting high school didn’t change who she was. But the night her brother’s best friend rapes her, Eden’s world capsizes.
What was once simple, is now complex. What Eden once loved—who she once loved—she now hates. What she thought she knew to be true, is now lies. Nothing makes sense anymore, and she knows she’s supposed to tell someone what happened but she can’t. So she buries it instead. And she buries the way she used to be.
Told in four parts—freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year.
Taken from Sexual Assault Awareness Month via BookRiot!
For me I believe that if you say no it means no. But even if you didn't and it wasnt something you wanted to happen and either you were drunk or to scared to say anything. Its still a crime. Call 911, tell someone you trust, don't shower or anything. But don't let them do it to someone else. Be strong and tell your story.
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