Darlene
by Jeffrey Stockbridge
I met Darlene the same afternoon I met Sarah on the corner of Kensington and Harold Street. Sarah and I were in the middle of making a photograph when we saw a young woman running down the Ave hysterically sobbing. Sarah yelled out to her by name but she ran right past us. Sarah ran after her and yelled again, “Darlene, Darlene,” and then the woman turned and stopped. Sarah reminded her that in fact they knew each other and had even been friendly in the past. Sarah had lent her some clothing recently on a cold night. Darlene approached shyly and Sarah put her arms around her and asked what was wrong. Between sobs, Darlene told us a horrific account of how she had just been raped.
Alone and getting high up on the tracks, Darlene had been overtaken by a group of men, was hit over the back of the head and lost consciousness. It was only when she came too that she realized what had happened. In a state of disbelief she got up, ran along the tracks through the weeds and out to the street where Sarah and I spotted her.
At Sarah’s request, Darlene sat down, twisting and turning as she fought off the urge to keep running. She calmed enough to tell us what had happened, and reflected on the violent acts which had occurred just moments ago. With brutal awareness, Darlene admitted that her situation was helpless. Going to the police was not an option she said. She’d been picked up on drug and prostitution charges before and knew that like other prostitutes on the Ave who had been raped, she had zero credibility with the cops and no chance of seeking asylum. They’ll just laugh at me and tell me I got what I deserved, she said.
I’m from North Philadelphia and see this all the time. It is a shame there should be a better system set up to protect these women. If you could please let them know that the Community Center at visitation (2646 Kensington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125) has a drop in service. They can go there for a meal.
Oh. My…. This breaks my heart. I went to high school with Darlene… I never would have expected this path for her 🙁
i went to school with her. glad to say from what i hear shes recovered and doing well.
Darlene is my best friend…the past is the past…people can change and Darlene turned her life around and she is working and has her own place….stop putting her down…we all have a past and most of us change..I love this girl and Im here for her through thick and thin…Give this girl some credit..she is doing great…the scumbags that did that did this to her…CARMA IS A BITCH AND GOD WILL GET THEM BACK..Dar if you read this I Love you girl <3 and proud of you…you jave a friend.for life…ME <3
I met Darlene towards the end of 2009 in rehab. One of the most honest and sweet human beings I met through my recovery process. I heard she relapsed after leaving, and hope that she is ok. She deserved so much more than she was given in life. So glad to have met her and pray life allows our paths to cross again.
Darlene, if you do read this and need help dealing with the rape, please reach out to WOAR (Women Organized Against Rape) we have free services and never judge. Completely confidential. Don’t suffer in silence. Let us help 215-985-3333