One of my patients wrote this as a homework assignment for therapy. Those few of you who have read preliminary excerpts of my book (in progress) can probably identify the author, who is also a forum member here, but until she grants me her permission I cannot reveal her identity here. Her name will, however, appear in my book along with this letter.

She wrote this as one survivor to all others, at the end of her very successful therapy for rape recovery. I'd like to share this with you, and then urge you to visit my profile's photo area to see a graphic I have invented with this text.

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You are a victim. You need to cry and hit rock bottom now. As harsh as that sounds, it is a cleansing process for your soul in order to become a survivor. You dont deserve to be hurt anymore. The secrets and your haunting dreams can be released from the chains you carry everywhere you go. Be gentle to your heart.

Dont drown in the waves of doubt that will crash upon you. Dont beat yourself up anymore. It was not your fault that this has happened, and every time you feel like it is, just read the words over and over again until you are convinced.

You are loved. I love you, God loves you, and every woman who has survived loves you. The world can be cruel, but the demons from your past are weaker than you are today. Stand tall, and as you walk through the rest of your life remember you are not alone.

Every one of us survivors are with each other all the time, we walk with each other every day, and I pray for you every night. I pray you dont lose hope. I pray that you will win this battle and come out alive and strong. I know that you feel wounded right now, but as all wounds do this will become a scar, and just as a little child is proud of their scars you will be proud.

You can make it through this. You are precious and now you belong to an exclusive and proud group of beautiful people who are always there for each other.

Some days are going to be harder to get through than others, and on those days take extra care of your spirit. Thank God you are hearing this letter today because unfortunately some women dont make it through this. Unlike so many people, you need to not give up. Remember, you are not alone. Thank God we both are not alone. Be courageous, and when you feel powerless and hollow, and when you feel weak and weary, tell yourself you survived. Let your spirit feel the peace that is around you.

We are in this together. We will survive this together.