Having been raped by a stranger(once) and by my brother numerous times from the age 8-12 yrs (he was 7 yrs older), I would have chosen the stranger rape over the incest race if I had to make a choice. My family betrayed me, did not protect me and blamed me in the long wrong by destroying the dynamics of family life. They wanted to know who the stranger was, so they could rightfully destroy or kill someone who dared violate one of their own. When it came to my brother, I was not believed, even when he finally admitted it later in life. He claimed he was trying to prove he was not gay and his wife insisted that I enticed him. After I was raped at the age of 6 yrs, my brother was the only one I told because I thought he would protect me. He told my parents and they supposedly went to find this man, who later turned out to be mentally handicapped and had been put into a home because he had done the same thing to another little girl. My parents never told me that I was safe from this man. My brother may have figured I was damaged goods and proceeded his abuse from there. At the age of 12, I was very naive and thought I could get pregnant ant threatened to tattle on him. From that point on, I was always fearful of him, but I loved him and wanted his protection. For myself, the rape I could understand better than I ever could for the continuous molestation and abuse from my beloved brother. I forgave my rapist because of his handicap but I still have a hard time forgiving my brother. I know that he has bi polar and he had rough childhood himself but I have always has a hard time with him knowing that I have always loved and adored him from the time I was a tiny little girl. My heart, my empathy, and my sympathy to you, AtreyuFreak.