With Support You Can Overcome Anything...

I am a teenage girl, a twin, the oldest of four, a daughter, a friend, a niece, a dreamer, a girlfriend, a high school graduate, now a college student, a hard worker, but I am no longer a victim, I am a survivor of sexual assault..."1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted by the age of 18" (The National Center for Victims of Crime). Not a day goes by in the U.S. that is rape free. Why is this so? Awareness needs to be made and thats what I am doing. Being sexually assaulted is absolutely nothing to be ashamed about. It is something that many women and men have in common.

I have found though that the topic of sexual assault makes many people feel uncomfortable. It is a topic that should not make any one feel uncomfortable. It is a horrific and awful crime, but with awareness and support from others a change can be made. Victims need to know that it is okay to tell their story. The truth needs to be told. There are people that will help and support you.

The reason that I am where I am today is because I made the decision to tell. I got help. I went through counseling, I had the support of others. Everything wasn't well good all the time, I had days that I didn't get out of bed, rude comments that were hard disregard, not feeling safe etc. WIth support from others, a few years of therapy, and the hard work and dedication of the police I was able to overcome my experience. I am now goal driven to help others like me.

With awareness and the hope that victims can come together I hope that there will be more positive outcomes. You no longer have to be victim you can become a survivor!

I am driven to help others effected by sexual assault because of my personal experience, but I want everyone to know that bad things do happen. With the support from the others that surround you and the right mindset you can take something negative and make it into something positive...