-Nicole-

Welcome Emma Welcome to AS, you have certainly come to the right place. Please continue to post as you feel comfortable. You will find much support here, I know I have. You certainly went through a horrible abusive relationship with this "man". What a horrible ordeal hon...I am glad you survived that. I too was once in an abusive relationship so I understand how you felt about thinking he would change, or had changed if he showed some affection, even for a minute. You may have a lot of confusion over you feelings on this. Healing from something like this takes time, somedays you may feel b

Welcome Anna! You have found a very supportive place full of many wonderful people. I hope that After Silence will be a great asset to your healing journey as it has to mine. Welcome again, Nicole

You are at the right place, if you wish to share your story and feelings please do. If you need help right away, you may wish to call the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, Incest National Network) helpline at 1-800-656-4673, it is free and confidential or visit their website at www.rainn.org. Good luck, Nicole

I'll say again that it is great to have you here, Nick! Welcome again, Nicole

Welcome to AS, I hope you will find lots of support here. We know what you are feeling, you are not alone. I think you are very brave dealing with the trial, that must be very hard. I hate how short the sentences generally are for rapists We are here for you. Hugs, Nicole

I am in the chat room now... I also have MSN messenger if you prefer. Nicole

Welcome, K'Jan! I am glad you have found this board, and I understand what you say about how awful it is that we need such a place. But this is a wonderful place full of wonderful people. I was a bit shy at first too, but everyone has made me feel like part of the family and like I am not alone. You are not alone either. Post as much or as little as you like, no pressure no problem! Everyone here is so kind and supportive. Welcome again!

Anna- Welcome to AS. I have interacted with you before on "Silent Screams". I am glad you decided to join/ post here as well. This place has helped me greatly on my healing journey, mostly because it is my attacks that are most severely impacting me these days. I have found wonderful support here, and I am sure you will too. Welcome again

There is nothing wrong with letting your feelings out and feeling them. I too pushed my feelings far to the back of my mind, I went into denial about what happened to me. It is hard to get out of that denial and begin the healing, but it is worth it. I meant to say in my first post that I don't think we ever really "get over it" although I said something like that. Our attack(s) is something that becomes a part of our life but making the transition from victim to survivor and actively healing makes the difference in our lives. So be angry, cry, yell, vent The world will not end (as a good

(((Welcome baillie))) I am so sorry for your expirience. You are not alone though. My rape was 5-6 years ago, and I thought I should have been over it a long time ago. I don't think we can really get over it with out going through the healing process. It may be different for everyone, but I think I need to face, accept and deal with what happened to me. Trust is one huge thing taken from us when we are raped, it is very hard when it is someone we know. Don't downplay your progress, your baby steps may be bigger than you think. Good luck, and welcome again!

You are a stong, beautiful person, Jill! Brilliant, just brilliant. I am so proud of you and in awe. You did a great job, you are so brave. Your confidence radiates from that post. You are not alone... Well done

Aliste - Welcome! I am glad you have found AS, but not that you needed to be here. I am also 24 and married. I was raped about 5-6 years ago, the exact dates escape me. I have also had many problems dealing with everything and trying to handle a marriage. I also suffer from depression. I have recently been able to pick myself up after a long and horrible bout with depression. Hope that you will feel comfortable here and that you will post more. This board has been a big help to me. We are here for you always.

Welcome Pippi Finding this site was so important to me as part of my healing journey. I hope that it can help you as much as it has me. Welcome again!

Welcome ladybird You are no longer alone now that you have found AS! I hope you find this place a wonderful help along your healing journey. I know I have. Welcome again!

Welcome Kareena Glad you are here, but not that you have to be! I am two years into my healing, although the events took place six years ago. For me coming to After Silence has made an enormous positive impact on my healing. I don't think there is a better aid in the process than a network of survivors who are so warm, welcoming and caring. Welcome again!

I am 24. I still think I am 18 though, always feel like I am 18. I don't know why, because 18 was the year all the bad stuff happened. I didn't think much of the above comment until I sat back and read it. Do I still think I am 18 because I need to go back to that place in time to heal? Yikes, here I go again. I have an overly analytical mind

Born in Rhode Island, but now live in the US Virgin Islands (for the past ten years). Should be paradise, but not really. I am ready to move back stateside....

Welcome! Glad you are here... I am sorry for what you have had to endure, and how much worse the reactions to it from others have made you feel. I understand how it makes you loose faith in just about everything. Welcome to the board. This is a safe place, you are not alone. Keep posting as you feel comfortable, we are here to listen and help!

I am new to this board and found it after another message board for survivors I belonged to seemingly just dissappeared. Whatever brought me here, I am glad to be here. I can remember the relief I felt when I realized that there were so many other people feeling what I am feeling and going through the same things. I look forward to networking with everyone here and being able to help and be helped. I was raped about 5 1/2 years ago, although I have blocked the date out. I am trying to reconstruct a lot of the details as part of my healing. I was at a party with friends, and I was 18 years ol