Thoughts to Ponder
When you know that what you're doing is right, nothing will be able to stop you. When you are absolutely convinced of the true value of your efforts, you'll have the courage and the persistence to see them through. To believe in what you're doing is not just important. It is everything.
Anything less cannot possibly succeed. For any accomplishments you reach while living a lie will ultimately be of no value.
It is not always easy to live true to your highest values, true to your authentic self, true to what you know is right. Yet it is always your best choice.
When you deny what you know is right in order to follow the expediency of the moment, the benefits you gain are trivial and fleeting. Choose instead to live each moment true to the highest values you know.
Then, who you become will be the fulfillment of who you truly are. Why would you ever want to be anything less? —Ralph Marston
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Stranger Rape Stranger rape is nonconsensual, and/or forced sex, with a woman or man who does not know her or his attacker. The definition of stranger rape is more readily accepted than acquaintance rape. The lack of acceptance that stranger rape receives does not limit the shame attached to rape or the trauma felt by the survivor. Ironically, stranger rape is seen as "real rape". The image of the psychotic stranger attacking the woman is real and does occur. However, the frequency of psychotic stranger rape is considerably less. The majority of rapists usually target the victim from 'afar'. Such as: Seeing her in a parking lot, walking in the neighborhood--his access to her is assured and he calculates his attack. The calculation may be instantaneous or over a period of time. Some rape survivors have later remembered seeing the rapist, but did not suspect they were being targeted. While stranger rape is reprehensible the road to recovery is easier than for the date/acquaintance rape survivor. This is so, because with date/acquaintance rape there has been the ultimate in betrayal--the individuals sense of trust of men is shattered and their ability to trust their own judgement of people has been shattered. This statement is not to devalue and belittle the experience of stranger rape. Rather, this statement is for the purpose of legitimizing all experiences of rape. It is the hope that survivors of rape will encounter understanding and awareness and that professionals of survivors will recognize the possible differences in the experience of stranger and acquaintance rape. |
