GEORGIA LOVE Media personality
‘I am so passionate about this
topic because I’ve seen the
effects of physical and emotional
abuse and it is just not OK in
any way, shape or form. Seeing
the red flags, my friend was
able to get out before it became
even more serious, but I don’t
know what could have happened
if she didn’t. Violence against
women is far too prevalent and
I want to do anything and
everything I can to make sure
no woman has to suffer at the
hands of a so-called loved one.’‘I was with friends at the club,
speaking to this guy at the bar.
I watched the bartender make
my vodka and orange and hand
our drinks to the guy, who then
passed mine straight to me.
After I started to sip my drink,
I felt something wasn’t right;
I started feeling really heavy
and tired. I don’t remember
saying goodbye to my friends- I remember looking back as
this guy was leading me out
of the club and wanting to be
with them, but I felt weak.
He led me into a taxi with
two of his friends. I tried to
get out, but he held me by my
hips to stop me. I had no idea
where I was or where I was
going, but the taxi stopped
outside a unit block, where he
and his friends basically carried
me up the stairs, into his unit
and into a bedroom. The two
friends left the room and when
the guy started to rape me, I
yelled, “Stop”, but his friends
didn’t come in or even ask if
everything was OK. He held
me down and I blacked in and
out of consciousness while he
raped me. The next morning,
I woke up confused and drowsy
and he raped me again. Then
he said he’d drive me home. He
even kissed me on the cheek
when we stopped at my house.
I was numb. I got out of the
car, crawled to my room and
didn’t tell anyone; I wanted
to pretend it hadn’t happened.
The first person I told was
my best friend, about two yearslater. He noticed something
was different and kept pushing
until one day I just told him.
He had noticed that I had a
little bit less regard for myself;
I didn’t care as much as I used
to and I had started to drink
more. When I did start talking
about it, it was therapeutic.
I’d encourage people, when
they’re ready, to talk about it
to their loved ones. It will be
hard for them at first – it took
my dad and mum time, but
they got there. To all survivors
out there, I want you to know
that one day it will hurt less,
and the people who love you
will want to be there for you.
Something horrible happened
to me but it does not define
who I am.’ALLY SANFORD:
‘I was drugged
and raped’
Ally was drugged at a
nightclub in Perth when she
was 18 years old...