Megan's Story

Hello, my name is Megan and this is my story. When I was 16, I was one of the happiest people you would have ever met. I was at the top of game in swimming, was doing well in school, and had started dating an 18 year old guy, who we will call Alex. Alex was tall, muscular, and just all around good looking.  We had a great relationship in the beginning. He treated me really well, was very sweet, got a long with my family, would surprise me at random with dinner, gifts and even show up at my swim meets. I was young, so of course I was completely taken by him. We had been dating about 7 months and then suddenly things changed. It wasn't even like there was a build up to it, what happened out of no where. It was summer and we were hanging out at his house waiting for the rest of our friends to show up for a cookout. While we were waiting, he disappeared into the kitchen for a few minutes. I thought maybe he was getting us some drinks or snacks or something. That wasn't the case after all. He walked over to me, grabbed my by the hand and pulled me to standing position. From there my whole life changed. The next thing I knew I was being launched across the room. I flew into the wall and as I was bent over trying to gain my bearings, he reached down and grabbed me by the throat and slammed me to the ground. The next thing I knew his other hand was undoing my shorts. The more I kicked and tried to get him off me the harder he pushed on my throat. I must have passed out for a minute or two because when I came too, I was being raped. I couldn't move. I couldn't yell. I was frozen. It felt like time was going so slow. When all was over, I felt tears running down my cheeks and my body shaking. I was in complete disbelief and didn't know what to do. I pulled myself together, grabbed my stuff, ran out to my car, and left. I went home, thankfully no one was home. I jumped in the shower and I have no idea how long I was in there but I remember falling to my knees wondering what in the hell just happened. What did I do? What didn't I do? Why would he do this? I remember scrubbing myself at least 4-5 times because I felt so dirty. I don't remember getting out of the shower or really anything after that. A few days later by brother came up to me and asked me what was going on because I had been really quiet, took a week off from lifeguarding, and played sick when I had a swim meet. Which was definitely not like me to miss any meet. I stayed inside and wore zip up hoodies and turtle necks for about a week or so until the bruising on my neck went away. Alex tried calling me a few times and even came by my house. My family told him I wasn't feeling well so he would leave. My brother knew something was up and wasn't buying it or me not feeling well at all. So he pulled me aside and said "what are you hiding?" I completely broke down in tears and showed him my neck. He was furious, outraged, and wanted revenge because he knew Alex. I begged him not to do anything but I really don't know if he listened to me or not. I also begged him not to say anything to our parents, that I just needed a couple more days for the bruising to fade. I told him I would tell them when I was ready.