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Poetry: Rape

by Michelle Powers

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I am not a client
I am not a patient
I am not a service user
I am not a rape victim
I am not a battered woman

I am Michelle
I have asked for help
I have accessed services
I was raped
I was battered
But I am still Michelle

My assault is not who I am
It is a part of who I am

My name is Michelle
I needed someone to talk to
I needed some medical help

I am not the services I sought
The services I sought was something I did, not who I am

My name is Michelle
That is who I am
That is the only name I will answer to
Nobody has the right to label me any other way!

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