Why men rape is unknown to most. No one can tell. Some say it is a pathological assertion of power over a victim. The news would tell us that sexual abuse is usually done by men under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Little do we hear about a perpetrator who is kind, intelligent, compassionate, and good-hearted.
And why? And for what?
A marriage proposal.
Such was the story of Ariel.
She was in her early 20’s when that happened. A long-time suitor, whom she had turned down many times, became her friend; that was his request.
“If we can’t be lovers, at least can we be friends?”
And so they were friends. Friends for a little while. Until that one afternoon when a supposed friendly meet-up turned into a nightmare.
Ariel could no longer recall in complete detail how it all happened. She literally fainted. She even thought she had already died. But she didn’t. She woke up. And when she did, she regretted being able to wake up. After all, what was there to live for? This man took away everything; her dreams, ambitions, aspirations, and wish to find her one true love. Who would love her? Who would want her? No one (or she thought).
“Stop crying; it’s going to be okay, dress up and let me speak to your parents. I will marry you.”
She froze when she heard him say that. Her mind went spinning. She felt like throwing up.
And just when she thought she had no reason to live, an epiphany happened.
And so, with all her remaining strength, she bravely said, “No, there is no way that will happen.” She added, “I don’t care if you will rape me over a million times, I don’t care if you will even keep me your hostage, but I will never let you see me surrender myself to you. There is no way I will agree to marry you”.
That wasn’t the kind of reaction her perpetrator expected. That wasn’t the kind of answer he expected.
He wasn’t prepared.
He may have succeeded with his evil plans but underestimated Ariel’s courage and strength.
Ariel was not physically strong enough to fight back. Still, she had enough willpower to say “no,” no to a ridiculous, absurd proposition.
Her “no” meant a lifetime of freedom. Her “no” meant a lifetime of self-worth.
-MICHELLE AYON – NAVAJAS
AUTHOR’S NOTE:
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, March 8th, sharing the true story of a young woman who did not reconcile to the fate of a victim.
Michelle, authored five books “After – Rain Skies: A Million Stars” for Perak Women for Women Society (PWW), Ipoh, Perak Malaysia during their One Million Stars To End Violence campaign, “What If Snowflakes Don’t Fall In Winter”, “Oh, Dear One!”, “I Would Fly To Where You Are”, her Amazon best-selling poetry book “I Will Love You Forever, Too” and “after Rain Skies”
She graduated with a Master of Education majoring in English in the Philippines, (University of San Agustin, Iloilo City). Michelle was a former college professor, teaching literature, speech & oral communication, creative writing, drama, and theatre arts, and is also a graduate of Mass Communications major in Journalism (Centro Escolar University, Manila). She is a published author at Spillwords NYC, where her poems “What If Snowflakes Don’t Fall in Winter?”, “Kiss”, and “Love Dance” were all nominated as publication/post of the month for July 2020, August 2020 and May 2021 respectively. Her poem “Love Dance” is Spillwords Publication of the Year Nominee for 2021. Her poem “Again” is published on three platforms, on MEDIUM -an International Writers and Readers Space, AFRICA WRITERS CARAVAN, and at WOMAWORDS LITERARY PRESS In June 2021.
Know more about Michelle and her writing by visiting her on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
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-MASTICADORESINDIA
MasticadoresIndia // Editora: Terveen Gill 
Michelle’s short story is about courage and the undying spirit of resilience. For a woman to endure the violation of her body but still maintain the equilibrium of her mind is a show of not only strength but the refusal to bow down to oppression. To those who believe that a woman can be mistreated and damaged, left to fester her hurts while waiting for a savior – they know not the powerful spirit of a woman. She can be who she wants to be and will retaliate when she pleases.
A very Happy International Women’s Day to all!
Congratulations Michelle!
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It takes, a lot of, courage to stsnd up that person who’d, assaulted us, and, as we stand up, we regained control of our own lives, and the perps, lost their power over, us.
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That is so true, the moment we stand up and decide to fight, is the same exact moment they lost their powers.
Thank you so much for reading.
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Thank you so much Terveen for publishing this story. I am hoping that our words would be able to help more women fight for their rights and their bodies.
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Reblogged this on michnavs and commented:
“Why men rape is unknown to most. No one can tell. Some say it is a pathological assertion of power over a victim. The news would tell us that sexual abuse is usually done by men under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. Little do we hear about a perpetrator who is kind, intelligent, compassionate, and good-hearted.
And why? And for what?”
.
.
.
read the full story of Ariel (not her real name), on MasticadoresIndia discover how her “no” gave her a lifetime of freedom and a a lifetime of self-worth.
i am grateful to Terveen and the entire staff of MasticadoresIndia for publishing this story in conjunction of the International Women’s Day; March 8, 2023.
may every woman find the courage to say “no” when needed just like Ariel.
together we can build a stronger and better society where abuse and violence don’t have a place.
if you wish to share your own story of abuse and violence don’t hesitate to drop me a message.
let’s eradicate the CULTURE OF ABUSE AND VIOLENCE, one story one poetry at a time.
if you know of someone suffering from abuse and violence and don’t have the courage to speak up and seek for help, do her the kindest deed and BE HER VOICE.
read more of true and inspiring stories of abuse and violence in my #amazonbestselling book “After Rain Skies, 2nd ed.” available on paperback and kindle file on Amazon worldwide.
its first edition, “After Rain Skies A Million Stars” is available at the PWW shop, 15, Jalan Market, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. Perak Women for Women Society (PWW) is a registered, apolitical, non profitable and non-governmental organisation (NGO) set up in 2003 to enhance the status and lives of women in Perak irrespective of their race, religion and social background.
if you wish to help PWW, kindly visit their website for details.
P. S
Thank you so much Terveen for publishing this story.
If you love what you read please don’t forget to subscribe to MasticadoresIndia and get a daily notification for more inspiring and brilliant pieces of prose and poetry
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Dearest Miche and Terveen I want to thank you for publishing Miche’s story too. Men who rape do so generally because they feel they have no control over their lives and they are very angry, and many are violent. They are generally married, middle age white men as well. Many rapists are also impotent and use sticks, multiple fingers, and objects that can tear up women’s insides. As a Rape Relief and Sexual Assault Advocate, this story is especially important because Miche’s character did the right thing. To regain control, you shock your rapist by shocking him/her – yes, women rape, too, although it is rare. When I was being raped by a friend and co-worker, I quit trying to fight this man who outweighed me three times. I just went limp and said, “OK, go ahead and finish as long as you know this is rape.” He was in the mental health profession. He stopped, just as Miche’s character took control, and she was not raped repeatedly. Rape is not a sexual crime at all. It is about power and control. Miche, I applaud you for writing this wonderful story about a situation that happens ! Terveen, thank you for publishing this great story! “Every 68 seconds, someone in the US is sexually assaulted.” One in every five women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape. Statistics are from an article written by Ivana Shteriova on 8.12.22. It has worldwide and US statistics. As a woman who was raped twice by family members and once by a co-worker – who I found out had raped two other women that worked there on dates. Genuinely great story, Miche. If you are being raped – or assaulted, you have a better chance of being helped by yelling FIRE than RAPE. I just verified that this is still what the police recommend. Big hugs, Joni
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Dear Joni, you gave me chills with your comment. I could not imagine how some men could actually do such a thing. And yes, you are right. Rape is about power. Assertion of power.
When you said “go ahead and finish as long as you know this is rape,” it teared me up. I am fully aware that not every victim could be as brave as you or as the character in my story but i believe that with victims slowly speaking up, it would make a big difference.
We need more women like you Joni and i thank you for all that you do.
I hope that our words may at least help this victims feel that they are not alone.
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Absolutely, thank you for all of your kind words Miche. “ I am in itself poetry in the dark,” your beautiful book can’t help, but make a difference. I think because I work with so many raped victims, that it helped me to be comfortable with talking about the situation and just how horrid it was and is still today. I’m sure other women truly appreciate all the work that you are doing to help educate and help other victims feel less alone. Sending big hugs and appreciation for all you do. 🦋🌹
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She stood up and claimed victory instead of defeat.
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Yes she did ..thank you so much for reading 🌹🌹🌹
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My pleasure to read your work.
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Reading this post only makes me angry at men who senselessly commit these rapes, and any form of sexual assaults. I have many female friends who have experience these kinds of abuses and one of them is very close to my heart. I have learned how to give her my full support and love, and I’m always by her side whenever she breaks down. Thank you for sharing this. Awareness is very important.
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Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this very sensitive issue. I salute you and truly proud of you for simply being there by the side of you dear friend who happened to be a survivor. We need more men like you.
Standing ovation to you from where i am…you have my full respect and admiration.
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Here’s an extremely detailed and emotional portrayal of one victim’s story at the hand of her violent, entitled predator. It’s a little long but very powerful: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/katiejmbaker/heres-the-powerful-letter-the-stanford-victim-read-to-her-ra
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Thank you for sharing …will be heading over🌹
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I am ashamed as a man when I read these stories. While I applaud the women who overcome, and BEcome, so many rapists move on with their lives either unaware or worse unpunished and unrepentant for what they perpetrated, or they go on just being repeat offenders. Thank you for sharing Michelle.
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Thank you Nigel for sharing your thoughts on this horrible issue. I am truly grateful for men like you who speak up against these perpetrators and perverst. We need more men like you
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Thanks Michelle. I try… And continue to do so. 🙏
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You painted a vivid strong picture in your words Mich. 💞
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