Fade Out

In choosing a social justice topic, I chose to address sexual assault within the parameters of dating violence. This topic has been widely banned and restricted from young readers despite the fact that statistics show us that teens experience sexual assault at a high rate—one in nine girls and one in twenty boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse or assault and of those victims, 59% of the cases of sexual abuse are carried out by acquaintances (RAINN). In Illustrating and creating this graphic novel, I want to challenge the idea that books that talk about sexual violence—especially dating violence—are too mature for young audiences. 

In the research conducted while making this project, I found that teachers want these books to be available because of the rate at which children and teens are victimized. In the Journal of Language and Literacy Education three teachers write, “We argue that students should understand the issue of sexual violence as a traumatic and real part of the lived human experience, especially because young adults are heavily represented in sexual violence statistics,” (Cheveallier, et al., 2). Furthermore, the Journal of Literary Criticism puts it best, “it “legitimizes [rape and sexual assault narratives]  and by taking it out of the classroom we demote these things to 'dirty little secrets' and they're not dirty little secrets; these are things young people face every day.” (Charles, 98).

When teens are informed and can openly talk about rape and dating violence, they can disprove rape myths, blaming tendencies, and demographic issues and they are less likely to become victims or perpetators of it, they know when to speak out. There is significant and long lasting effects that sexual assault leaves on young adults—it is clear that there is a need to facilitate and foster these conversations rape and dating violence. These kids who have experienced sexual violence may not have the words to describe what happened to them and deserve to feel less alone. By talking about rape and dating violence and offering stories kids and teens can latch onto, that they can identify with we facilitate just that. 

I chose my mentor text, Speak: The Graphic Novel because it does just that. It talks about how traumatic and life shattering rape is to a young person, it shows the cruelty of not being able to tell your story, the slow death of oneself when you have no one to turn to and a rapist who won’t leave you alone. In a School Library Journal review of Speak, they say, “a new representation of a teen whose voice is ripped from her, the battles she must wage to find it again, and the triumph of finally being able to speak out.” Seeing Melinda find her voice helped me find mine and I think all victims should have the option to find theres too or to just connect with someone, even a fictional character. I didn’t have a book like Speak: The Graphic Novel when I experienced what I went through personally and I think everyone deserves the chance to read a book like speak, I wish I had when I was a teen. 

From an my own perspective and experiences, I wanted to write a graphic novel that reflected on some parts of my own story of surviving dating violence and sexual assault. When you’re a teenager, you are riddled with insecurity and who can blame you. Growing up is hard and uncomfortable! This insecurity in a sexually abusive setting though can be detrimental to a victim's safety. You make every excuse under the sun for an abuser's behavior because “hey this must be what healthy relationships are '' and you're just so excited that someone finally likes you. Teens need to see and know that they don't have to be abused just because someone finally likes them, they deserve to be safe and have their boundaries respected. I wanted my book to do that and to show teens the warning signs that they need to know when it comes to dating so they can stay safe and happy.