I could never understand why my friends could cheer me on after what she did to me. They acted like it was supposed to be the biggest moment of my life, yet I felt violated. I felt humiliation wash over me. I felt weak.

I could never understand why the police would laugh at me when I came and reported the crime. How they made remarks about men. About how men couldn’t be raped. About how they assumed that I enjoyed it.

I could never understand why she would convince her friends that I was the bad guy. How they would harass me daily, calling me a menace to society, a monster that doesn’t deserve to live…

…and I sure as hell could never understand, why I was the one in handcuffs. I’m being dragged to the police station by the very same cops who mocked me, all because she told them that I raped her. A rape victim falsely accused and arrested for rape…how ironic.

STOP Gender-based violence: 0800 150 150. If you are feeling depressed or suicidal, please know that there is help out there and you can get better. Reach out to SADAG counselling 0800 567 567 (toll-free counselling between 8am and 8pm) or their Suicide Crisis Line: 0800 567 567. You are not alone.