April
is Sexual Violence Awareness Month. It ties in with Red My Lips an international nonprofit organization which runs an annual
global awareness campaign where
supporters (which they call 'Warriors') wear red lipstick throughout the month of April, to raise
awareness and funds. They use red lipstick to create visibility, combat rape
myths and victim-blaming, and demonstrate solidarity and support for survivors.
A victim
of an horrendous gang rape attack that took place 20 years ago, and which she
has only now come to terms with, is Darian Ryan. It is only in the last four years that Darian
has been able to speak to people about what happened to her. Darian told us
that it was after listening to a motivational talk that Margaret Hirsch had
given to a group of school girls about rising above situations that were holding
them back from reaching their goals, and coming through difficult situations
with their heads held high, and against all odds, that Darian realised that she
needed to tell her story – to make girls who had suffered in similar situations to understand that the fault was
not theirs, and for them to make a stand against rape and rapists.
This is
Darian’s story
“20 years
ago I was taken by four men and then brutally raped at knife point. I reported
the rape to the police, the only people I knew to turn to. I put my trust in them, however, they treated
me as if I was the criminal. It was the most traumatic time of my life but I
received no support. I was made to feel so ashamed about what happened to me
that I bottled up all my pain and never again spoke about what happened. It was
eating away at me like a poison working it's way through my blood stream. My
life was a mess. I became emotionally detached. I did not know how to love or
trust anyone.
A few
years ago I started attending a church where I felt so much of love from the
people there. They just accepted me, loved me and never judged me. This church
became my safe place. I was then able to talk about the rape and work through
all the hurt and pain.
Today, I am no longer a victim but a survivor and a
warrior. My way of fighting back is to share my story with as many people as
possible. I will no longer be silent!!!
This April I am excited to support Red My Lips, which is an international
nonprofit organization that uses red lipstick as a tool to combat rape myths
and victim-blaming! Throughout the month, Warriors from across the globe will
wear red lipstick to create visbility, demonstrate solidarity and support for
survivors, and spark important conversations with people in their lives.
Help me support Red My Lips by making a donation. The process is fast, easy,
and secure. I truly appreciate any support you can provide. Let's join together
and let the world know that victims are NEVER responsible for sexual violence
and we will not sit quietly while people we love are blamed, shamed, and
silenced. Click on to the site: : www.classy.org/darianryan. The
money raised will be used to support organizations around the world that
address the root cause of sexual violence.”
