Just before coming here I was working a night shift in A&E in the UK and a 20 year old girl was brought in with horrific injuries. She had been out with her girlfriends for the first time since having her daughter, (who was a few months old), she had been to a club, yes she had been drinking, yes she had a short skirt on. She was waiting for a taxi and was raped by one man who gave her such terrible injuries that she would not be able to have any more children and she had to have surgery. I cared for her for about 3 days (you work 12 hour shifts in some hospitals to get continuity of care) so I was with her throughout the first few days. Her physical scars will heal but she was destroyed mentally. Her husband parents and friends were stunned and not coping well. NOBODY blamed her for one second but the fact of the matter was that she had been violated in the worst possible way and it makes loved ones feel awkward no matter how hard they tried to cover it up. I have seen many terrible and sad things in my career but this really affected me. Luckily in the UK the Police are trained to work in a way that is centered around the victim and she was treated very well. Her life will never be the same again, however brave she is and carries on with her life, that man took her spirit. If anyone had dared suggest that she had in any way asked for it, at the time I don't think I would have been resposible for my actions. I do understand that on QL people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds express their opinions and I don't want to argue with anyone, it's just that this thread reminded me of this experience that will always be with me.
Just before coming here I was working a night shift in A&E in the UK and a 20 year old girl was brought in with horrific injuries. She had been out with her girlfriends for the first time since having her daughter, (who was a few months old), she had been to a club, yes she had been drinking, yes she had a short skirt on. She was waiting for a taxi and was raped by one man who gave her such terrible injuries that she would not be able to have any more children and she had to have surgery. I cared for her for about 3 days (you work 12 hour shifts in some hospitals to get continuity of care) so I was with her throughout the first few days. Her physical scars will heal but she was destroyed mentally. Her husband parents and friends were stunned and not coping well. NOBODY blamed her for one second but the fact of the matter was that she had been violated in the worst possible way and it makes loved ones feel awkward no matter how hard they tried to cover it up. I have seen many terrible and sad things in my career but this really affected me. Luckily in the UK the Police are trained to work in a way that is centered around the victim and she was treated very well. Her life will never be the same again, however brave she is and carries on with her life, that man took her spirit. If anyone had dared suggest that she had in any way asked for it, at the time I don't think I would have been resposible for my actions. I do understand that on QL people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds express their opinions and I don't want to argue with anyone, it's just that this thread reminded me of this experience that will always be with me.