I'm a Woman on a Mission!
Advocating for victims, and sharing the lessons I’ve learned through decades of therapy and self education; is an endless task. I declare my commitment to help others and make it my mission in life. What a wonderful way to bring meaning to the pain I have endured as a result of being sexually assaulted.
Since the release of my book “The Queen’s Daughter” in 2004, the public response has been incredible and a new purpose for my life emerged.
On Thursday, February 12, 2015 I am holding a fundraiser to support my popular program and I offer the following statistics with hope that my work is recognized by the people who challenge “The Cause” for its credibility.
Someone that I considered a close friend recently called me a fraud. However, my “Thick Skin” began to develop and has grown since the fateful night back in 1976 when I was gang raped. Even though I was a helpless victim, I was blamed, shunned and criticized on a regular basis. Thanks to the feminists, we have come a long way baby.
I don’t take things personally and I don’t care what people think. It was hard to grow that “Thick Skin” and not without being hurt along the way; but today I am stronger than ever! I am a woman on a mission!
The following are the statistics as a result of my program for the past ten years:
Letters received from readers of “The Queen’s Daughter” 4,203
77% or 3,237 letters were from victims or their family members
who posed a question dealing with ongoing struggles as a result
of sexual assault, abuse or harassment.
23% letters of congratulations and praise for speaking out on
behalf of victims and “The Cause”.
Victims who have contacted me: 81% female and 19% male
Average age of victims: 22 ½ - 72% of whom were victimized before the
age of 16.
Families helped: 16 – where more than one member of the family was
victimized by the same abuser, or family members of the victim such as:
spouses, parents, grandparents or siblings.
The most victims being helped at any given time was: 7
Number of male sexual assault victims helped: 28
Number of males accused falsely of sexual assault: 8
Number of school visits to speak to students about sexual assault: 102
This includes high schools, University of Windsor, University of Michigan and
St. Clair College.
Average number of contacts made after each class presentation: 5
Victims who shared that they contemplated suicide: 100% Yes- every one of them!
Most common problems shared by victims that asked for help:
1/ Depression – how to deal with it (this includes anxiety which is a by-product
of depression)
2/ Forgiveness – still feeling angry
3/ Sex and sexuality – all male victims have questions in this area
4/ Shame and guilt – how to deal with it
5/ Moving forward – need skills to cope
Most common time a victim calls in distress: 10 pm – 2 am. (luckily I am a night person)
Average length of a call with a victim: 2 hours
Should you ever call and my answering machine clicks on repeatedly, I am probably talking to my son Michael, Lorraine Brennan, Theresa Reaume, Darlene Gudrie-Butts; or a victim.
Thank you to all those who plan to attend the ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET/FUNDRAISER; to the volunteers who have gifted us with their time and expertise and to the many businesses and individuals who donated door prizes and offered cash donations.
