Hi. My name is Maggie Thomson.
I am running the Perkins Great Eastern Run Half Marathon on Sunday 13th October. I am raising funds for Peterborough Rape Crisis Care Group. An invaluable service for people like myself who have undergone any sort of sexual abuse in their life.
I was seriously sexually abused by my Boss in the workplace. There was a mixing pot of circumstances that made me an easy target. The abuse increased and became more serious with time. I had no one to turn to. When I was pinned against the wall and told “I want to rape you” I knew it was time to report to my other Boss.He did nothing,laughed, the abuse continued. I spent my days in fear, shame, blame, guilt. Eventually he did rape me. I hope you never have to live through that.
I thought when I finally quit and moved away I could forget about it. But, it never leaves you. It is an internalised secret that can't be revealed and eats away at you over years. This manifests in a host of mental health issues, which it is no secret that I suffer from.
Last year it was enough – I couldn’t move on, I was stuck in that place. I reported to the Police. The individuals (my Bosses) of course lied. The Police reporting was a long process that affected me much more than I realised. I knew I wasn’t well, just not how much. I had a major breakdown, took an overdose that saw me in hospital on a ventilator. I had a stay in hospital, psychiatric help and came out ready to change.
Since leaving hospital Running seems to be the thing I have gone back to, I intend to move forward helping this amazing charity as much as I can.
Thank you my friend who dragged me through last year. Thank you my friend for pushing me into running again. Thank you "Boss". Love you all.
This is my STATEMENT RUN. I want to say - this happened to me. No shame. Now I intend going forward head up high. I want to give inspiration to those who find themselves trapped in this most awful of situations.
Please sponsor me.
