Rape Support Group

If you or someone you know has been the victim of rape, this is the place to find support and get advice. If you want, discuss your experience, share your feelings, and meet others going through a similar situation.

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Giving a speech, and I'm terrified

Ophelia-Slipstitch
Ophelia-Slipstitch
In my public speaking class we have to give a speech on an even that has impacted our lives. I have several other incidents I can talk about, but this one in particular is jumping out at me. I want to do it, but I'm so scared. I'm freaked out that people will make fun of me or whatever. But at the same time if I don't I will feel like cheated myself out of a healing experience.
Krissanta
Krissanta
I want to ask some questions before I give any advice if you don't mind. I was wondering. If you would be speeching to a large group? Will this group be coed? Is it a group of peers and will there be friends there? I only ask so I can can best formulate a reply. I hope you don't mind.

I think you are right. This could be a very helpful healing and growing experience and if you have the strength to do it, I think you should. Maybe you could write a back up speech in case you change your mind at the last minute.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was going to ask the same questions. Writing a back up speech is a good idea, because your feelings always go a little all over the place right before making a speech. In High School I took Debate... one of our topics was rape... being a victim I had this whole idea of everything I wanted to say about my own experience and what I went through and how it impacted me... however right before it was my turn to talk I froze and just walked out. I still wish I could have done it because I believe it would have helped a tremendous amount. Good luck with your speech, if you have the strength to do it, go for it. It may be like a weight lifter for you.
Krissanta
Krissanta
I did the same thing, Roxy. I was raped after my junior prom, so right before prom season the next year, I put together a program about date rape. I was so proud. I wanted to do it because the year before when it happened to me, I had no support. Most people in my life did not believe it was rape because it was some one I knew. But this program was put together to teach both the boys and the girls that this is a crime and it's wrong.

The programs were going to take the whole week in order to reach everyone. On the first day, I stepped into the room to help the people speaking and I had the first, real anxiety attack of my life. They principal sent me home and told me not to come back until the following week. I MISSED THE WHOLE THING!

I was so embarrassed and so disappointed. If some one didn't know before, they certainly knew that I had been raped then.

I still think you should try. Having the courage to go to an adult to ask to help organize that event is my proudest moment. I don't regret doing it at all. It's a program the school put on even after I graduated and if that helped ONE person, everything I had to go through to get that program was worth it!