Surviving You

According to RAINN, the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, every ninety-eight seconds an American is sexually assaulted. A vast majority of those sexual assaults go unreported to the police, 658 of 1,000 instances to be exact. And out of those 342 that do report, only six out of 1,000 criminals end up in prison. I'm writing this story to share my experiences. I'm writing it for healing. I'm writing it for closure. But mostly, I'm writing it for the one out of six women who have been the victim of a completed or attempted rape in their lifetimes. For all the women who have experienced sexual violence in any form. For those who feel ashamed, burdened, numb, and simply worn. You are not alone. This is the story of how I met and fell in love with my rapist, and how it affected my life. I hope this book sheds light on the difficulties of domestic violence, and even more on the injustice of the judicial courts. This is my story. I hope it can help those who are suffering, who believe there is no way out, to find their strength, like it has helped me find mine. --- Ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a sociopath? Emma Sawyer spent every moment of her high school and college years trying to figure it out. In a small, rural town in Ohio, with nothing much to do, Emma was a regular teenage girl trying to fit in. Her life was normal until she met David, a conniving and deceitful boy who stole her heart. Though David seemed aloof and impersonal at times, Emma fell for his fiery charm. Through ups and downs in their relationship, Emma found herself falling irrevocably in love with David, despite his pathological lies and violent fits of rage. Little did she know, he was about to take her on a seven-year journey that would change her life forever. The memoir follows their love story through a series of relentless events. Providing introspection as an older Emma throughout, the author reflects on the memories and red flags of the abusive relationship. This book aims to help women who have experienced sexual abuse and manipulation realize they are not alone, shed light on the difficulties of domestic violence, and put a spotlight on the injustice of the courts.