Rape Survivor Spreads Message of Healing and Forgiveness
Although she was repeatedly raped, she survived but endured years of pain as she tried to come to terms with what happened to her.
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November 30, 2009
Nearly 30 years ago Debbie Cuevas, then only 16 years old, was abducted while on a date. Although she was repeatedly raped, she survived but endured years of pain as she tried to come to terms with what happened to her. It was not until years later that she decided to turn the tragedy into an opportunity to talk about the importance of compassion and healing.
In an interview with WBIR.com, Cuevas recounted the two-day ordeal in May 1980, and said that she most likely survived because she was able to stay calm and to "humanize myself to them and make them see me as more than their victim."
Years later, when one of her attackers was executed, Cuevas failed to feel closure and satisfaction. This, coupled with the inspiration provided by Sister Helen Prejean - who had called for mercy for the man who had a history of violence in his family - helped her embark on a journey of personal healing which she continues by travelling across the country talking about how the crimes changed her life and how she overcame their legacy.
The 46-year-old is thriving now as an educator and a mother of two, and says she is a "living proof you can recover and heal completely from rape," quoted by the news source.
The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, which also accepts donations, estimates there were 248,300 victims of sexual assault in 2007, and that 1 in 6 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
Some of the best ways to avoid rape include being aware of one's surroundings especially when walking alone after dark. Some women have also taken self-defense courses in order to be able to protect themselves from an attack.
Experts also recommend women always keep their drinks in their sights when partying as some sexual predators have use date rape drugs to overpower their victims.
Nearly 30 years ago Debbie Cuevas, then only 16 years old, was abducted while on a date. Although she was repeatedly raped, she survived but endured years of pain as she tried to come to terms with what happened to her. It was not until years later that she decided to turn the tragedy into an opportunity to talk about the importance of compassion and healing.
In an interview with WBIR.com, Cuevas recounted the two-day ordeal in May 1980, and said that she most likely survived because she was able to stay calm and to "humanize myself to them and make them see me as more than their victim."
Years later, when one of her attackers was executed, Cuevas failed to feel closure and satisfaction. This, coupled with the inspiration provided by Sister Helen Prejean - who had called for mercy for the man who had a history of violence in his family - helped her embark on a journey of personal healing which she continues by travelling across the country talking about how the crimes changed her life and how she overcame their legacy.
The 46-year-old is thriving now as an educator and a mother of two, and says she is a "living proof you can recover and heal completely from rape," quoted by the news source.
The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, which also accepts donations, estimates there were 248,300 victims of sexual assault in 2007, and that 1 in 6 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
Some of the best ways to avoid rape include being aware of one's surroundings especially when walking alone after dark. Some women have also taken self-defense courses in order to be able to protect themselves from an attack.
Experts also recommend women always keep their drinks in their sights when partying as some sexual predators have use date rape drugs to overpower their victims.
