Each week I will be sharing stories of courage and strength. People who have been affected by sexualized violence. In sharing our story we take back our identity and become beacons of change . Layers and layers of betrayal and pain need to be revealed then removed one by one in order for us to realize we are so much more than our stories. They are part of our experience but we need strength and support to realize they do not define who we are. Please feel free to give comments of support to those brave warriors who come forward with their experiences….

Story #1

Hello, I know we don’t know each other but I just wanted to let you know you’re daughter gave me a lot of strength recently… I was sexually Assaulted in my sleep, and I was scared so I never said anything to anyone for a year and when I came out.. It was exactly how her case is, they’d put it off or wouldn’t do anything about the guy making a joke out of it… The guy ended up killing himself because of the guilt and now everyone blames me.. I’m the most hated person around my community but knowing I did the right thing like rehtaeh did makes it easier and at least I fought, I did it for me and her.
It’s pretty sick though… I’m 17 and I have grown adults (including the guys mother) contact me in every which way calling me a slut and threatening me, his mother said “I hope you remember my face forever” I don’t understand why people want us to come forward so we can protect other girls but slander our names and slap us in the face like we’re lying… It all hurts so much
I’ve been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder because of it all I just want it to end. I’m not the same person at all “