Lit rule on abuse

[OnlyByMoonlight]

I'm currently writing a story where the main character was sexually abused as a teenager. She is now over 18 but the relationship is continuing, as she is falling in love with another man (which is the main story) The abuse is never described in detail or depicted, its just discussed, though reference is made to the fact that it started before she was 18. Does this violate the Lit rules?

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

I'm currently writing a story where the main character was sexually abused as a teenager. She is now over 18 but the relationship is continuing, as she is falling in love with another man (which is the main story) The abuse is never described in detail or depicted, its just discussed, though reference is made to the fact that it started before she was 18. Does this violate the Lit rules?

It's a gray area, I would think. I don't think you are supposed to even reference anything sexual in regards to an underage person. You may be able to get away with one statement that simply says she was sexually abused during her childhood/teen years, but I don't know.

 

[Acal]

She can have a deep dark past where she was abused and tortured etc. But it can't be detailed it can only be aluded to since she was under 18 at the time

 

[bronzeage]

There is no clear line on this matter. The only way to find out is to submit the story and if it is rejected, hope the story mods can give you a specific guide pertaining to your story.

 

[cyravance]

I'll have to follow this thread, as a story of mine does have a man who was raped as a child by an enemy of his older brother. The thing is, that little detail IS important to the story. It's not detailed, mostly a mention of the awful thing that happened, and the rapist is killed by the brother shortly afterwards.
But without that detail, much of the rest of the story wouldn't make sense.

 

[3113]

Everyone gets confused by the 18 rule. The rule is this, you cannot, cannot, cannot show a scene of anyone under 18 having sex. Period.

But Lit understands that those under 18 have sex, and they certainly understand that those under 18 can be sexual abused, raped or molested. These can be mentioned. So your 18 year old can say, "I was molested when I was twelve..." What we can't see is the actual event.

You can show us a scene from her childhood where the guy talked to her, grabbed her by the arm, etc, but you can't show him having sex with her.

 

[sr71plt]

My experience is much as 3113 states it. I've alluded to something happening earlier as part of the set up of the character's pyschological makeup and current circumstance and have not had trouble getting it published.

I don't replay the scene of it happening back then, though, just the statement that it did. For instance, the son of a hooker living with her and being there when she entertained clients and slipping in the phrase, "eventually the men came for me too," as an explanation for how he later wound up in male prostitution.

I think if what you really want to do is replay the scene in any graphic detail, what you really want to do is write about underage sex. And I see no reason why you should be allowed to circumvent the rules here that way.

 

[JackLuis]

It would help if the abuser is given his due in the end.

Maybe he's eaten by weasels?

 

[OnlyByMoonlight]

thanks for all the responses. I think my storyline will be okay... hopefully.