‘I’m the Girl Who Was Raped’ book launch
MELVILLE – A brave women's account of being raped details her journey of self-discovery and empowers other rape survivors.
Author, Michelle Hattingh, launched her compelling book I’m the Girl Who Was Raped at Love Books in Melville.
The book launch that took place on 1 June, was attended by literature fanatics curious to learn more about the book and the author. The dialogue was facilitated by author Fiona Snyckers, who explored Hattingh’s inspiration behind the book, perceptions about rape and her journey as a rape survivor.
Hattingh’s first novel documents her struggle to reclaim normality after being raped on a beach, in the company of her friend. After she was raped, she knew that her life would never be the same again. The author recounts her journey in an insightful and graphic way that draws a picture in the mind of readers. Her story details the struggles rape victims face in South Africa and the courage it took for her to stand up for other women who experienced a similar ordeal.
Hattingh said that she initially wanted to name her book ‘I am Rape’ but was told it was too controversial.
“I think what happened to me and what the title of the book emphasises is that after I was raped, my whole sense of self just splinted and was just scattered across the ocean. I did not know who I was except that this horrible thing happened to me and every single moment that I am awake and alive this thing is sitting on me. That became everything that I was,” said Hattingh.
She described that she was angry she did not have a choice in what happened to her and felt that most people did not know how to deal with it with her. “The only way I knew how to deal with it, was to write it down . I realised that I did not write that book for anyone else but I do hope people take something positive out of it. Writing the book was me surviving and that is the way I knew how to survive,” explained Hattingh.
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