52. Scarlett Robertson: Sweet Hopes That Instead Lead to Manipulation, Rape, Assault, and Back to Sweet Hopes. Part 2.

Sexual Assault Survivor Stories Podcast - SASS

Activation warning: this episode contains explicit and graphic descriptions of attempted suicide, physical assault, sexual assault, and rape. Discretionary caution is strongly advised. This episode is not for children. Please use extreme self-care in listening to this episode and seek immediate help through the national suicide hotline by dialing 988 if you are emotionally activated or triggered by the content of this episode. Or if you are activated and need help from the national sexual assault telephone hotline, call 1-800.656.hope (4673).

This is Part 2 of a 3-part series. Be sure to listen to part 1 before you begin part 2…otherwise you’ll have difficult time understanding the nuances of the events that unfold in this episode.

Picking up from where we left off in Episode 51, Scarlett Robertson shares more of her complex, yet intriguing and compelling story about her on-again-off-again relationship with “Charlie” (not his real name). Scarlett is even confused by her choices, and questions her own judgement…not even realizing that what she experienced and endured was rape, and re-unites with her rapist, Charlie. Circumstances and events that transpired over the weeks that she was with Charlie make her finally realize that she doesn’t want to be with him any longer, but still doesn’t recognize that what he’d done to her before their first breakup was rape. That is, until years after she splits with Charlie, later gets married, becomes pregnant and gives birth to her son, and is going through tumultuous times with her new marriage, her work, and the COVID epidemic, that she receives some out-of-the-blue enlightenment...a realization that changes her life and sets her on a path to healing. You’ll be blown away with the twists Scarlett’s story involves.

To anyone who has experienced interpersonal relationship trauma, please know that you are not alone. Seek help, reach out to support networks, and remember that healing is possible. Together, we can work towards a world where survivors are heard, believed, and protected. Part of Scarlett’s healing journey involved becoming in The Jan Broberg Foundation’s online community of Thrivivors. If you are interested in joining, and participating in the many aspects of the organization that are helping victims and survivors heal, there is a link below.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. And while most people don’t realize the prevalence of domestic violence in this country and around the world, what’s even more misunderstood are the dynamics of domestic violence, and the fact that most relationships that involve domestic violence, regardless of the gender identities of the partnerships involved, include sexual assault and/or rape. I want to encourage you, if you’re reading this, and/or are a SASS listener, to become more educated and aware of the dynamics of domestic violence and interpersonal violence, so you can become more active in recognizing the signs and symptoms of DV relationships and help those who are seeking help; so you can help bring justice to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault; so you can be trauma-informed and not risk re-traumatizing victims and survivors; and so you can help provide resources and further the knowledge base in our communities about what needs to be done to help reduce the prevalence of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault. The best start to all of this is to Start By Believing. Because we all know someone whose life has been affected by rape or sexual assault.

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Part 3, the conclusion of Scarlett’s 3-part series, comes to life next Tuesday, October 10th, 2023…don’t miss it!

https://thejanbrobergfoundation.org/

https://markel-consulting.com

https://startbybelieving.org

https://safeinharmsway.org

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