I think that can bd quite tricky as some people never report their assault for many reasons and if the writer is going down that route they need to show why, does the survivor feel a certain way, is there a specific reason. It’s when the character doesn’t report it and it portrayed like it’s no big deal. I have mentioned before that one of the stories I’m working on does contain sexual assault in s characters past. But I want to use the opportunity to show that no matter how long ago something has happened it’s never too late to report an assault or ask for help. I’m focusing more on the character reaching out to someone they trust, but slowly I want to show that it’s not easy and sharing as much or as little as they want can still help.
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Question would anyone be willing to give me some feedback on how I’m going about portraying this topic in my story. I have a certain scene typed out (for planning) and I want to be sure I’m being as sensitive as I can possibly be. Ps this will contain spoilers.
Could you go into a little more detail about what kind of scene it is? That would probably help others know if reading it over would trigger them or figure out whether they can help you.
Sure 
I just want to make sure the dialogue during the scene is as sensitive as possible.
Trigger warning
So the scene takes place at the beach where the person (police Sargent) talking about the assault likes to be as it makes her feel calm this is shown earlier in the story.
She ran away after the mc (detective) has a argument with her about hiding the fact she was related to the victim despite knowing that they were searching for their mother. The mc goes looking for her and finds her at the beach. She apologises for acting the way she did and asks her why she hid that particular fact. The Sargent is reluctant at first but then slowly talks about the assault which took place years ago and why she didn’t feel it was safe coming forward
Ehhhh thats pretty realistic. Even if no one directly tied to the abuser is in the police force, the social conditioning and culture of victim blaming often leads people to not come forward. Very few people around you believe you when you try to talk about it-whether it’s your peers, family, or the police. You get a lot of “well I’VE never seen [perp] do anything like that” or you face gaslighting until you question your own narrative. It’s really hard and you can’t really blame people for not reporting it. But that’s in real life.
In Episode stories they don’t report it or even talk to their friends about because the assault only happened to push the plot along. Now that a character has been traumatized, it’s time to “move on” (ignore completely that it happened) because it no longer serves a purpose to the plot 
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I agree with what Hibiscus said. It is realistic for people to hide what they have been through to never talk about it. Once you tell someone you been assaulted. You start to get blamed, questioned, and judge. Then you have that anxiety/pressure when you do tell someone or when you have to take it to court. It isn’t an easy topic to talk about let alone with someone who’s going to potentially judge you.
However, I do wish people at least have their character’s acknowledge what they gone through. Tell a friend, talk about it through narration, write in a diary, whatever. I just wish people would stop adding it and forgetting all about it two scenes later.
Not trying to repeat myself or Hibiscus here. But, it isn’t as simple as that especially when the victim feels like they are to blame. I know it’s a story, you can narrate your story how you want it, but realistically speaking.
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Agree and it’s important to remember that there is no wrong or right here a survivor should not be shamed for not wanting to report it.
And likewise shouldn’t be bullied into reporting if thy choose not to
I get what yall are saying
It’s just when I see those tropes I keep thinking “again?!”
I absolutely hate when sexual assault/harassment/abuse is used as a plot device.
(sorry if none of this makes sense, I’m tired and I’m not thinkin too hard atm)
As someone who was sexually assaulted, I can tell you firsthand that it is something that
a) you don’t recover from quickly. It happened over a year ago and I still don’t let guys touch my legs for any reason.
b) I don’t like talking about it, but if you ask, I will tell you. That’s not the case with a lot of people, however. I just want people to learn from my mistakes so the same thing doesn’t happen to them.
c) I don’t use it as a way to seem like a “broken” girl. I’m not broken. I’m stronger and smarter. I don’t use this as a way to attract love interests (?). This situation doesn’t define me, hell I don’t care to acknowledge it happened.
e) THIS IS FREAKING SERIOUS. IT IS NOT A TROPE. IT IS NOT YOUR FANTASY. IT IS NOT A BONDING EXPERIENCE FOR LOVE INTERESTS. THIS IS SERIOUS AND IT REALLY DOES F*CK SOME PEOPLE UP. While I’m lucky enough to come out of the situation healthy and happy, I still have moments where I don’t want to be touched my males, I don’t want to sit next to males, I don’t want to interact with males. It happened on a Ski Club bus, I can’t go skiing anymore without thinking about it. I can’t sit on a bus without thinking of it. I’m not having flashbacks or crippling panic attacks because of it, but the thought is always in the back of my head.
Once again, I apologize if literally none of this makes sense. Have a good day.
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I LOVE THAT BOOK OMG.
I also love anything Laurie Halse Anderson writes.
Sorry I just had a fangirl moment.
Fr though, her book is kinda written diary-style and she does an amazing job at opening up emotionally to the readers and showing us what it’s like to be in her situation.
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Speak is a novel?? Do you mean on episode or is it an actual novel
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It’s a novel hahahah. But not at all related to the J Miley episode story. Both are great though
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Just googled it and read the synopsis I realise now that I’ve seen the film to it but I didn’t know the film was based on a novel!
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Yep! It’s quite good and sensitively written. But as hibiscus said, totally unrelated to the Episode story.
is it too soon to bump?
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PM me the story and author so I can report it x
Report what?
The story you mentioned. Think it breaks the guidelines
Just read through you comment and I’m sorry you had to go through such an awful experience. Just waiting to point out here that you didn’t make any mistakes no matter what went on no one deserves to be hurt in anyway shape or form
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I think the mistake I made was sitting next to someone I knew was a prick, not leaving when he started to get handsy, and not standing up for myself. Idk, I think many people don’t know why victims of sexual assault “let it happen.” You don’t know what the situation is like until you’re in it. Thank you for the support, though 
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