Tweet encourages sexual abuse survivor to take smear test

‘It’s taken years of building up the courage’

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A sexual abuse survivor has revealed how Twitter helped her overcome her fear of attending a smear test to help prevent cervical cancer.

On Monday, Anneli Roberts tweeted she had booked her first ever smear test aged 29, despite women being advised to attend their first cervical screening when they turn 25 years old.

“It’s taken years of building up the courage,” Roberts wrote. “I’m 29 years old. I’m a sexual abuse survivor.

“Today something clicked and I managed to book the appointment. Group hug?”

The tweet swiftly went viral, garnering more than 55,000 likes and 1,000 retweets.

Roberts was also inundated with supportive comments from other young women and sexual assault survivors, thanking her for being open about her fears.

“I am so grateful to everyone who has shared this tweet and sent messages of love and support,” Roberts tweeted on Tuesday. “I had no idea how many of you were going through what I was (I always felt ashamed to admit I was afraid of going) and I hope you all know that we’ve all got this – however long it takes.”

Now, speaking to the BBC, the writer and podcast host explained that tweeting about the appointed helped her to actually attend it.

“I tweeted about the appointment because I wanted to be held accountable to my followers,” she explained, revealing she had once booked an appointment before and cancelled it out of fear.

“There was a lot of good advice which I ended up taking,” Roberts said of the messages she received as a result of the tweet.

“A lot of women told me to tell the nurse, and I’m not sure I would have considered how important and helpful that would be before I tweeted.”

Roberts detailed her experience of the smear test in a blog post and explained she felt “relieved” afterwards.

“The procedure wasn’t painful or really uncomfortable,” she added. “The nurse was nice and incredibly understanding. It didn’t take long and, yes, I’m glad I went. But to say those things and expect other victims of sexual assault, abuse and rape to feel that their concerns are all answered would be to do these women a disservice.”

Roberts continued by arguing that most people probably know the test itself is nothing to be afraid off, but that women need to encourage one another to attend their screenings so as to normalise them.

“And really all we can do is keep talking about this stuff; keep encouraging women to take power over their bodies and put their health first, but also to protect them while they are doing it,” she concluded.

According to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, one in four women miss their cervical screenings every year. Reasons vary but include embarrassment, fears it will hurt, and not knowing what will happen during the appointment.

Figures of non-attendance are significantly higher among sexual abuse survivors, research conducted by the charity has shown.

A study published in August 2018 found three quarters (72 per cent) of women who have experienced sexual violence have either not attended or have delayed their cervical screening because of their experience.

Katie Russell, spokesperson for Rape Crisis England & Wales, explained why cervical screenings can be triggering for sexual assault survivors.

“The thought or reality of going for a smear test can cause some survivors to fear they’re not in full control of their body or situation and this can make them reluctant to access this vital health service,” she said.

“Survivors deserve the same right to important healthcare as everyone else.”

You can read more about what happens during a smear test here.

If you’ve been affected by this story, you can contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline by calling 0808 802 9999. The helpline is open from 12pm-2.30pm and 7pm-9.30pm daily. In the US, you can contact RAINN, the national sexual assault hotline at 800.656.HOPE or through the website.