Written by Andrelyn Izquierdo.
A snippet of a real-life story of mine.
WARNING: This article contains sensitive content and may be found offensive or triggering to some people. It is intended for educational and awareness purposes to help victims and their loved ones to recognize signs of Racism, Harassment, Human Trafficking, Sex Trafficking, and/or Rape. Very graphic details may include explanations from my personal experiences. If for any reason you are not ready to see details of abuse, feel free to move on and come back when you are ready. It is also recommended that you view this with a friend or family member for emotional support.
Image by Ulrike Mai from Pixabay.
Disrespect is something that happens so frequently to me, but I refuse to get used to it. There’s just something in me that will not adjust to that claim and pushes me to keep fighting back the rumors and any other nonsense that comes my way from people who share the same crime committed against me - sexual assault. Many of them repeatedly at least over the past 5 years. It used to be more hidden, but now it’s not. It’s become so mainstream now the common names and insults to call me whenever I’m running errands outside. The false accusations are numerous. Before I get into the list, I just want to put this out there…I’m not for sale nor have I ever put a price on myself. I have never accepted any money in exchange for my body. While this next information isn’t anyone’s business, it seems like it needs to be mentioned somewhere in this entanglement of lies all over the internet: In my lifetime, I’ve had one sexual partner that I’ve gone all the way with in-person with whom I’ve had a faithful relationship for a very long time. Not once did I cheat on him throughout our marriage. However, I was raped repeatedly throughout the duration of our marriage. Is that mentioned in places that are digital and in print, no? The reason being is that it would put the people as guilty for their illegal acts taken upon my body inside and out.
Here is the list of names that I’m referred to on a daily basis:
(You or a loved one may hear some of these names called to you as well.
Easy
Whore
Slut
Ho or Hoe
Prostitute
Lady of the Night
Crazy
Psycho
Call Girl
Working Girl
Mala or Bad Girl
Katie or Kadey Ho (Nothing close to my name)
Hooker
Bitch
What to Do as a Response
If by chance you end up having to deal with a similar situation, even if it’s bullying insults from school that others are not using the exact same words, you can choose to do something about it afterward.
Stand up for yourself - It is healthy to speak up for yourself and defend your honor, your name, or your reputation. You have the option of direct and indirection confrontation at any place at anytime to anyone.
Report them - Call, write, or meet in person at the venue where the incident occurred. You can write to the headquarters of a business or a review on a public website including as much detail as possible of inappropriate things mentioned. There is the option of a police report as well with your local department within your jurisdiction.
Don’t follow the trend - Just because others are behaving in this manner, doesn’t mean that you have to resort to doing the same. You do not have to join them or try to fit in. You will not be missing out on much. By doing this, you will be enabling them to treat you the way that they do.
Always choose to #defendyourself even if there's no one else around.
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Inspired by my true story.
This article is written by:
Andrelyn Izquierdo
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