25) I was a victim of sexual assault when I was a 6 at the hands of an older cousin. I told my at-the-time-boyfriend, who I truly trusted at the moment. I found out that he was cheating on me with his ex and she didn’t know that we were together. I told her that he was lying to both of us, but she in return hated me and not him. He told her about the assault as a way to get her to think that I was crazy and told her about a cutting problem a few years ago. Told her as a twisted way to gain her trust and/or to get her to think I was crazy and not believe anything I said. Now she is spreading this to everyone in my school. What do I do? Everyone keeps on staring at me.
I am sorry that you had to go through such a terrible experience. It disgusts me that your peers don’t see how serious of an ordeal this is.
First, stick close to your real friends. They will be the ones to back you up, and make you feel better if people are talking about you.
Second, the best way to solve an issue is to face it. Don’t be afraid to confront the rumors, attack them, shoot them down and justify yourself. You are in every position to have your voice be heard. People will listen.
Third, don’t overreact. I know this sounds crazy, and you have every right to overreact, but making a scene or turning it into a bigger issue is giving the ones who are spreading the rumors the benefit of the doubt and that is one thing you don’t want to do. You don’t want them to think they succeeded in letting the rumors hurt you, even if they did, you need to show them that you are a strong person and you’re not going to let this bring you down.
I believe you can make it through this, good luck :]
