Hello and Introduction

[Hope49]

Hello, everyone: 

I'm a 48-year-old communications professional. I found After Silence while searching for support groups online. I'm looking to connect with others impacted by sexual assault. I keep myself isolated except for going to work full-time. I do not feel friends and family understand what I am going through. It's been about 10 months since the incident. I am hoping to connect with others to feel less isolated and deal with the aftermath of what happened. Some days I feel totally healed, other days, I feel hopeless. 

[BraveOne]

Hi @Hope49, while I am truly sorry for the incident that occurred that led you to AS I would like to welcome you to the site. It is hard to find others that understand and relate in the real world.  You are not alone and you have found a very supportive place full of kind caring individuals that have all been through something similar but can give you help and advice or just give an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on. We come from all different walks of life but find courage through the support spread here. Healing is hard work it takes time and support.  You were brave enough to seek the support, I know you will make it.

see you around the forums.

BraveOne

[MeBeMary]

Hi Hope,

Welcome to AS. I am very sorry for what you experienced, but you have found a very supportive site. Our members are understanding and kind. I am sorry that you struggle from what happened 10 months ago, but reaching out and trying to face it, really is a positive step to take. I understand how others that haven't been thru it might not really understand. Many may feel bad for what happened, but do not understand that healing from it is not as easy as it sounds. I am glad that you have found us and wish you the very best on your journey of healing.

Mary

 

[Struggling88]

Hi, Hope49, and welcome! 

[silentg]

4 hours ago, Hope49 said:

Hello, everyone: 

I'm a 48-year-old communications professional. I found After Silence while searching for support groups online. I'm looking to connect with others impacted by sexual assault. I keep myself isolated except for going to work full-time. I do not feel friends and family understand what I am going through. It's been about 10 months since the incident. I am hoping to connect with others to feel less isolated and deal with the aftermath of what happened. Some days I feel totally healed, other days, I feel hopeless. 

Hi Hope49,

I am sorry for what happened to you 10 months ago, and I am glad you found our site. Many of us can relate to feeling isolated and that people close to us don' t really get it. It can take a long time to heal and more than just time is needed, support and validation can help too. I hope that you can find the support you need here and wish you all the best in your continued healing,

g

[Hope49]

I'm so thankful for my first 4 replies. 

I appreciate the welcome and can feel a sense of support. 

[missfrier]

Hi hope welcome.  To after silence. You will. Get so much support here.  Ur not alone in your. Journey  we all here for you

[goldraindrops]

Dear @Hope49,

I'm sorry for the incident that has brought you to us.  It's totally normally to have a hard time "connecting" with friends and loved ones after a big trauma.  

I hope that you'll find some comfort here - our site is full of kind and supportive people who understand what it is like to go through this.

Wishing you healing,

Gold Raindrops

[Poppy_]

Hi, @Hope49 - 

Welcome to AS! I'm so sorry for what you have been through. I can say that I also don't have a lot of friends or family that understand or even know what happened to me. This site has helped me so much to feel all of the support. There has been a lot of healing that has taken place here You're not alone!

Just know that we are all here for you and we all support you here! I'm so glad you found AS. 

Please let me know if you need anything! 

Best wishes, 

Poppy

Edited July 17, 2019 by Poppy_

[Kmkz]

Hi @Hope49,

Sorry for what's brought you to this site, hopefully you'll find what you're looking for to help you heal. 

[2Siamese]

@Hope49

Hi there!  As a communications pro, this can obviously be intimidating but you're in an awesome space surrounded by like-minded individuals.  You are also free to speak your mind about what happened to you.  Truly sorry for what brought you here but I think you'll find a spectacularly humanizing community where you can relate and heal.

Keep going!  I'll cheer you on and look forward to your next posts when you feel comfortable doing so.  WELCOME!

[Hope49]

Hi, 2Siamese:  

I appreciate your message and your willingness to cheer me on. 

I  did something today that was scary and brave.I was lucky enough in January 2019 to get justice after being sexually assaulted. My attacker is one of my neighbors. He plead guilty to a plea bargain. He is on  probation for a year  with a suspended jail sentence. After accidentally running into him on the elevator,  I've been wanting to know the terms of his probation. I was brave enough to go the records division at the county courthouse today, and examine the case file and get a copy of the probation order. 

I'm glad I did this, but I was shaking internally and cried a little tonight because it was like re-living the assault all over again. I'm hoping I can find support tonight. 

Hope