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I recently read the book, “Crash Into Me” by Liz Seccuro. It is the author’s story of a horrific rape, the affects it had on her life, and her search for justice. This is a book that every parent and young woman should read.
Although I could not relate to the experience, I could sympathize with the feelings that the author described. The night that would change her life started out like a night that many teens, including myself, have experienced.
She was only 17 and in her first year of college when she joined a friend in attending a fraternity party and found herself in a dangerous situation. I do not want to give away the details of the book. My hope is that others will read it and gain something from the painful memories that the author was brave enough to share.
The more that I read, the more it frightened me. It bought me back to my own college days and made me thankful that I never wound up in a similar situation. It easily could have occurred. I had been to plenty of parties. I had experimented with drinking. I had left myself in situations that could have gone very bad. I guess I was just lucky.
The author also describes the extent to which a violent situation can truly affect a person for the rest of their life. A painful truth for survivors is that you never forget the crime. You can heal and you can move forward but the memories cannot be erased like a bad dream. The message projected is that you can live on to rebuild yourself and help others. That is what this author has done.
The book will make you cringe at the recollection of her memories, cheer on the author as she fights for justice, and root for her strength to heal from within. Well done, Ms. Seccuro. Thank you for sharing your story.
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Speaking of being "lucky" enough to have avoided a similar situation, Lucky by Alice Sebold immediately comes to mind. I read the memoir three weeks before attending the same college as Alice-- the place where her rape took place. To my dismay (because I didn't want them to worry), my mother and grandmother read it, too.
The irony of the situation was the foreshadowing of this book. Though my own traumatic event with a man the day before I left for college wasn't the same experience, I now could relate to the violation. Alice's bravery helped me push on at a time of deep pain when I was supposed to be embarking on the "best years of my life" at the very same school. Her words (as I imagine Liz's would) stayed in the back of my mind and helped me snap out of it when I too admit to putting myself in situations that could've "gone very bad."
Regardless, this stuff still happens. Women like her continue to empower me to live a full life despite being reminded of my pain so I too can help empower other young women. I only hope that we continue to rally behind voices like Liz's and Alice's so that their words remind young women to fight for their valuable lives. Thank you for reminding us of this importance of-- like you said-- healing from within!
June 19, 2011 - 5:51pmThis Comment