It has been nearly 9 months since my last post. At the time, I had every intention of continuing to blog and carry on with my life like nothing had happened. Trouble was, something very traumatic had happened, and it was much harder to heal from and took far longer than I ever imagined it would. In fact, I am still in the process.
On 24 September 2011, I was sexually assaulted. This coming Monday, which is the one year anniversary of the attack, I am launching a new project called At Long Last Heard. The statics say that every 45 seconds someone in the United States is sexual assaulted. If this is correct, then that means that NO ONE I know has had that happen to them? Seems impossible. To me, this means that people simply do not talk about it. (That has changed a little; I think maybe 5 women I know have told me of their ordeals.) In our country, there are still two subjects that are very taboo: sexual assault and suicide. I think the time has come to change this. I am only one person, but I truly believe that the good that can come from my attack is to, at the very least, begin to change the attitudes and thinking about these subjects.
My new web site will tell the story of my journey this last year: the good, the bad and the really ugly. It is a little scary opening up my entire life so much, BUT I think it is very important. If I can help even one woman understand the process she will go through or make someone feel like she isn't alone, then it will all be worth it. Let me say right now that I understand sexual assault happens to both women and men, but as I am a woman, that will be my focus. (If you are a man that has been sexually assaulted, I suggest you start your own web site to help other men.)
At Long Last Heard will launch at 12:01 am on Monday, 24 September. I also have a Facebook page set up and next week, will set up a Twitter link. If you, or anyone you know of, would benefit from this, please check it out. And I would be forever grateful if you would copy this post and put it on your own site. Or your Facebook wall. If you would prefer to contact me directly, please write me at: atlonglastheard@gmail.com.
As for A Little of This That and the Other, I am working again and have lots of new pictures to post. It may be a lot juggling 2 sites, but this is my creative outlet and I think it is important to get back to sharing here. Other than this post, I will not talk about my experience on this site. I want to keep this blog as my 'happy place.'
