Nearly a quarter of women have experienced sexual assault or attempted sexual assault since the age of 16, while one in 14 have experienced rape or attempted rape, according to figures from the Crime Survey for England and Wales. In recent years movements like the #metoomovement have brought a greater awareness to sexual assault.
While these movements are great for creating awareness, what happens once the awareness has been created?
Studies find that 80% of teenage girls suffer serious mental illness after sexual assault. Many dealing with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder months after being assaulted.
We spoke to Betab Zena, who turned her story into a book. Her book, The Gift of Endurance, is a guide for women who have experienced sexual assault, with a roadmap to how they can recover.
Betab says” I felt like it was so important to share my story, write it from my perspective so people could be inspired”.
So, can this inspirational Amazon sold book be the saving grace for those that may suffer in the dark?