By Democrat in the South / Daily Kos
I was listening to a guy on Morning Joe this morning analyzing whether or not the woman accusing Kavanaugh of sexual assault could actually be capable of remembering accurately or even correctly what happened to her because of the time passed since the incident.
While I’ve never been raped or sexually abused in any way, there was just one incident that happened to me at least 50 years ago. I am 67 and I remember it and every detail about it like it was yesterday and none of it ever fades from my memory.
When I was in my teens, a group of us went to a friend’s parent’s cabin to sleep for the night. It was a 2 bedroom cabin and each bedroom had several beds in it. Like at least 3, maybe 4 double beds. So we piled up at least 2 to a bed and all beds were filled. Someone was on the sofa too. It was summer time so we slept on top of the covers fully clothed.
I was in one of the beds, and one of the guys who was with our group that I knew pretty well got in bed beside me, on top of the covers and fully clothed. He rolled on top of me and started forcing himself on me. I couldn’t believe it was happening at first because there were at least 5 other people in that room with us. But he kept on, and started holding me down. I was trying not to make any noise thinking he would stop any second and I was embarrassed and didn’t quite know what to do. But when he wouldn’t stop and I couldn’t overcome his strength I asked for help and another guy got him off of me. The assaulter was obviously drunk. I never saw him again after that.
My point is that even though I have forgotten so much from my past especially in my teens, I never forgot that. I still remember every muscle that moved in my body during those few minutes (or maybe seconds) of assault and exactly how I felt, panic helplessness and all. I remember everything going through my mind too and the way it made me feel.
The Kavanaugh accuser is being questioned about her not telling anyone until she spoke to a therapist in 2012. I never told anyone about my incident. The only people who knew were the ones awake in that room that night.
I was lucky that night. But my point is that I never forgot. And I don’t remember discussing the incident with any of my friends.
But I do remember his name, Steve, and if he were ever nominated to be a Supreme Court judge, I would remember in detail what that nominee did to me.
Women don’t forget when they’ve been held down against their will and came close to being raped…it is a trauma that gets seared in your brain. I can’t imagine what it would do to you to get raped…
My story is similar to the Kavanaugh accuser but her assaulter was more violent than mine.
Women do not forget. But I would bet everything I have that Steve doesn’t remember….