Sexual Assault Survivor Speaks Out

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Updated: 3:32 PM Jan 31, 2011 Sexual Assault Survivor Speaks Out Maryann Ricciardi kept it a secret for three decades. She was raped as a teenager. For a long time she stayed silent because she says she was ashamed. That changed after she reached out to the Crisis Call Center. Posted: 5:13 AM Jan 31, 2011 Reporter: Mariana Jacob Email Address: mariana.jacob@kolotv.com

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Reno, NV- “I made the call myself when I needed help in my recovery from sexual assault,” says Maryann Ricciardi.

30 years after she was raped, Ricciardi made a call to the Crisis Call Center.

At 18, she was raped by four men repeatedly.

Ricciardi says, “I stayed silent, I told no one.” Looking back she says she was in denial. She battled depression, had nightmares and struggled to focus. On a particularly difficult night years later she reached out to the Crisis Call Center.

She says taking that first step has helped her heal.

For more information about the Crisis Call Center visit: crisiscallcenter.org

Latest Comments

Posted by: Marissa Location: IL on Feb 1, 2011 at 04:35 PM

MaryAnn, I am so proud of you coming out and telling your story. It breaks my heart to think of the fear and pain you had to endure. You are one of my dearest friends and you have always been there for me and any other rape victim (survivor) that needed to either talk or cry no matter what time of the day.I know when I did my interview with RGJ a couple years ago I remember thinking that I was finally going public with my story. The reporter started to ask some questions regarding my rape (nightmare) the emotional pain and the physical pain that I went through. I had kept this silent for many years. Never went reported to the police. I was hiding behind the shame of the rape. It was time for me to Break the Silence and let others know they are not alone and did not have to feel ashamed. There was help out there for them. The Crisis Call Center could provide assistance and guidance. We said one day we would tell our story and here we are standing together to put an end to the Silence.

Posted by: Margo Location: Reno on Feb 1, 2011 at 11:02 AM

... acutally we went to College together. It was over 4 decades ago...my heart goes out her and her familiy.

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