186 - Single mother through rape; Dapnee's story (Part 3)

Welcome to the third, and final instalment of Dapnee's incredible story. In Part 1 of Dapnee's story, we talked about what was going on her 17-year-old life: she had recently graduated high school and had been accepted into a dream university, she wanted to study physics and saw a future as a research scientist, and she had moved into the dorms and started college life. She was excited to begin the next chapter, and the future looked bright.  Things then took a turn and she told us about the night she got raped at a college party, how the Police handled the situation (terribly), and what happened in the weeks following the rape. In Part 2 we learned about how she discovered she was pregnant three months after the rape, and although she was shocked and scared, it also brought hope and light into a time of her life when she was at her lowest, how she made the decision to keep the baby, being a pregnant teen, suffering from PND, life as a new single mum, and so much more.  Part 3 is the final instalment of our chat. Just when you think things could not have got worse for Dapnee, they did. We talked about how struggling financially led Dapnee to put in a claim for child support, and how this resulted in the unthinkable. Her rapist filed for custody of her daughter.  Dapnee did everything she could, but ultimately the court ruled that he had a right to his daughter. Dapnee faced co-parenting with her rapist. Dapnee shares: What it was like going to court all alone and facing her rapist and all his family, how she has struggled to be able to tell her loved ones her story, how law enforcement has continued to let her down, how motivated she is to finish her studies and to get her degree in Business Information Systems, the struggle she feels in being able to relate to other 23-year-olds after what she has been through, dating again and meeting her boyfriend,  what is next for Dapnee, and so much more.  "When all the odds were against me, you gave me a reason" ~ Unknown. I have been so honoured to share Dapnee's story over the last three weeks. One that she has never told completely to any of her loved ones. It is a sad story, but Dapnee brings strength, beauty, and bravery, and she is now in a really good place. Dapnee is a true inspiration. She is a go-getter, she is positive, she has drive, she is unstoppable.  *Please note this episode and topic may act as a trigger for some people, and this episode is not suitable to listen to within earshot of children.* Links mentioned in the episode: It is advised to listen to Part 1 and Part 2 first. You can listen to Part 1 HERE. You can listen to Part 2 HERE. To contact Julia, email: [email protected]. Visit us at Single Mother Survival Guide.  Or connect with Single Mother Survival Guide on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest.