22 Comments

Fuck me this is powerful. You are bloody awesome. Thank you for sharing and I can’t wait for what 2021 holds for you.

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Thank you, and thank you!

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Ann this is moving and beautifully written. I am glad that you have shared it and I think you have captured how easily young girls find themselves exploited. Like others I’m speaking from personal experience but I’m not quite brave enough to share it so thank you.

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Thank you so much for reading. Yes, at I've had so many women tell me that they had similar experiences, which is heartbreaking. And, you are very welcome x

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Such an amazing piece of writing Ann. Powerful and really heartrending; thank you so much for sharing your story and for having such incredible courage and strength; and demonstrating such a wonderful voice too x

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Thank you for reading and the lovely comments x

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Couldn’t stop reading this Ann! And the one night thing def resonates, I am trying to teach my girls everyday what was not so obvious to me growing up....I watch old films/tv programmes I remember fondly and see how dismissive they were of women. On the face of it I was a strong girl growing up but it still didn’t stop the one night stand pressure thing and being in relationships with dickheads. TV programmes for kids have def changed to depict stronger women and it not always being about getting a man so I have hope for my girls. I loved your piece, good luck with the writing x

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Right? I recently watched 'Reality Bites' and was enraged at the slut shaming, how the Winona Ryder character gives into the whims of Ethan Hawke's character (who reminds me of every pompous, self interested yawn of a man from uni ...). Teaching our children about active consent, girls and boys, is only a good thing. Thank you for reading and commenting.

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Beautifully written, amazingly brave, well done for finding your voice. Happy new year x

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Thank you for reading, and your kind words x

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Oh Ann, from one convent raised girl to another, I understand so so much of this story. Glad you’ve found your voice - keep on using it, because it gives us all strength and hope. Xxxx

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Hey you, thanks for reading and sorry that this resonated. I'm glad to have found my voice, and thank you xxx

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Guuurl!!!! We have too much in common! You write amazingly! This resonates deeply with me and so many women I know. Thank you for having the courage to speak, to tell your story so boldly. I admire you! xXx

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I'm sorry that this resonates with you and your friends. It's a sadly common story. Thank you for reading and for commenting, that means a lot xx

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Ann, you write so courageously, brilliantly and beautifully, about a vile act and person. I hope this huge and brave step forward will propel you to a better, more comfortable, less painful place. Virtual girl power and healing to you, with huge respect, and support.

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Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. Here's to moving on with power x

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Stunning, powerful! I admire your courage to speak out - this is where the power lies. Onwards and upwards in the new year!

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You are right: the courage is in speaking, and that's why it took me so long. But, better late than never. It is never, ever too late.

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Well done courageous lady. I hope you are healing and finding your power. And so well written. Definitely carry on with the writing. Thank you for writing this piece. In some way it connects with every life (woman's) , with a universal story.

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How sad that it resonates with so many women, but I'm grateful for your kind words xx

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Looks like all the comments are from a few days after this was posted, but today it resonated with me so powerfully. Not just a matter of the well crafted prose, that's something I have come to love and even expect with Ann's work. But the authentic, truthful, intimacy of it. Makes me feel both privileged to be a witness and speaks to the hope that experiences hidden by shame and stigma can find some measure of healing. I really needed this today. And everyone in the office thinks my allergies are playing up ;-)

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Drawn back to your words Ann, as we approach year's end. The well-worn familiarity of the brutal scene somehow speaks differently over this season of all these readings. I suppose that is some measure of the change - can I even call it healing or liberation? that I have known these past months around IPV / coercion. Thank you so much for being a part of that. Thank you for releasing your words into the world, to find their way into the places where their echoes bring comfort.

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