Samantha is one of Wahine Toa Rising Survivor Leaders. A strong, beautiful. courageous Wahine Toa. Samantha is a creator in many elements. She is passionate about poetry and spreading awareness in her writing in hopes to tautoko people along their own journey. Her interests include decolonizing, matauranga Māori and holistic wellbeing.
Ticking through my mind are memories I tried to consciously hide.
Before they got their hands on you, before the weight of some else’s actions shook you.
Tore your spoken truth, soul to spleen. With sanity dancing on a tight string.
Bitter & internally bruised.
The fruits of your body spat out after being used.
Who were you? Tell me
You are not defined by actions of another who has mistreated you.
We/us/she/them/he/they are not some person-less vessel, desirable piece of flesh, to fore full your impulse.
MY BODY – MY SKIN.
Many years of neglect, harm and hate.
It took time, space, patience and love.
It won’t be instant or perfect.
But every ounce of loving energy practiced
KNOW THAT YOU ARE WORTH IT AND YOU DESERVE IT.
Your head throbbing, throat strangling repetitive rage.
I understand, I’m here with you.
It will be okay.
I know it’s easy to say, most of the time it never feels that way.
But its okay to feel the pain.
Just don’t let it drown you away.
MY BODY – MY SKIN.
Don’t think drunk flirtation is justification.
Don’t think nice conversation means luring someone into an uncomfortable situation.
Don’t think a shy voice is easily persuasive.
Don’t think someone’s vulnerability is for executing predatory behaviors.
Educate to respect personal space.
Educate to teach importance of consent.
Educate to deconstruct social norms & negative discourse.
Educate to circulate conversation.
Educate to show how we can support each other.
Educate for awareness.
After shedding layers of who you believed/ thought you were, after the hands of a
nother mistreated you.
YOU return to YOU.
The YOU, YOU always were.
The YOU you’ve always known.
MY BODY – MY SKIN – MY LIFE.
YOUR BODY – YOUR SKIN – YOUR LIFE.
•1 out of 3 girls may be sexually abused before turning 16.
•1 out of 7 boys may be sexually abused by adulthood.
•1 out of 5 women experience severe sexual abuse, this can be on multiple occasions.
Impacts of abuse can effect people holistically (mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually & socially)
Causing: depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, drug/ alcohol dependence, difficulties in relationships (family, friends, partners etc) eating difficulties. This is only SOME of it.
These are some helplines below that assist with counseling, support through court process, crisis support etc.
×Help – 09 623 1700.
×Family action – 09 837 2491.
×Better blokes – 09 889 2553.
×Rainbow youth – 09 376 4155.
×RPE – 09 360 4001.
×Safe to talk (24/7 service) – 0800 044334. Text – 4334.
×Pohutukawa clinic – 09 630 9772.
×Mosaic (for men) – 04 389 5050.
×Youthlaw Tino Rangatiratanga Taitamariki – 0800 884 529.
×Shine – 0508 744 633.
×Tu Wahine – 09 838 8700.
You can find more of her awespiring writings here on her facebook