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Assault survivor is traumatized by invitation

By Amy Dickinson, Tribune Content Agency on

Dear Amy: I was drugged and raped in college by a fellow student who then convinced me -- and others -- that we were in a relationship.

I was in hell for six months before a miracle happened and I was able to leave him. To this day it's something I never talk about. After five years of marriage I have only just mentioned it to my husband. No one else knows.

Two weeks ago, I got an invitation to an old friend's engagement party.

I called her up immediately to gush about her news.

Well, in the middle of the call she mentioned her fiance's name.

I panicked and quickly hung up. Amy, she's engaged to my rapist.

 

Since that call, it has all come back, and in complete honesty my kids are the only reason I'm able to get up every day.

I realized I never dealt with my trauma and now it's back -- ten-fold.

But I'm dealing with that. I don't know how to deal with my friend.

Obviously, I won't be attending any parties, or the wedding.

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