Red Cherry
New Here
Hi there,
I am so glad I came across this amazing site, am warmed by the sharing, honesty and strength of those posting, and hope it will take me forward on my journey of recovery... here is my story...
I am a lady in her thirties who was drugged, followed and raped by two men while I was working overseas, somewhat ironically on a project to help girls who had been sexually abused, trafficked or exploited. I couldn't seek justice due to the lack of women's rights in the country where I was working and rape cannot be extradited as a crime. I suffered immediate secondary trauma through the medical examination there, inappropriate treatment by those in the international community (including my boss at the time) and an attack by the local police.
This happened to me five years ago and I had two and a half years of rape counselling when I returned home. I have managed to work full time for the five years since and was fortunate not to suffer depression or anxiety, but battled with PTSD symptoms and the domino effect they have on all aspects of life, as I am sure many of you have.
Unfortunately, due to build up of factors, I have currently had to take a month of work due to the symptoms becoming too overwhelming. I am so sensitised to triggers, suddenly and easily overwhelmed by emotion, experiencing intense mistrust and paranoia, and have been having nightmares about being back in the country and with some of the people in my life at that time.
I am just looking to find people who relate in some way, listen to any tips and essentially feel a bit more normal at a time when I feel I don't have any control over my emotions and, in spite of lots of fantastic friends and family, feel very isolated.
Thanks for taking the time to read this introduction. Sorry for the essay!!!
Red Cherry xx
I am so glad I came across this amazing site, am warmed by the sharing, honesty and strength of those posting, and hope it will take me forward on my journey of recovery... here is my story...
I am a lady in her thirties who was drugged, followed and raped by two men while I was working overseas, somewhat ironically on a project to help girls who had been sexually abused, trafficked or exploited. I couldn't seek justice due to the lack of women's rights in the country where I was working and rape cannot be extradited as a crime. I suffered immediate secondary trauma through the medical examination there, inappropriate treatment by those in the international community (including my boss at the time) and an attack by the local police.
This happened to me five years ago and I had two and a half years of rape counselling when I returned home. I have managed to work full time for the five years since and was fortunate not to suffer depression or anxiety, but battled with PTSD symptoms and the domino effect they have on all aspects of life, as I am sure many of you have.
Unfortunately, due to build up of factors, I have currently had to take a month of work due to the symptoms becoming too overwhelming. I am so sensitised to triggers, suddenly and easily overwhelmed by emotion, experiencing intense mistrust and paranoia, and have been having nightmares about being back in the country and with some of the people in my life at that time.
I am just looking to find people who relate in some way, listen to any tips and essentially feel a bit more normal at a time when I feel I don't have any control over my emotions and, in spite of lots of fantastic friends and family, feel very isolated.
Thanks for taking the time to read this introduction. Sorry for the essay!!!
Red Cherry xx
