A year ago today, I was sexually assaulted in my dorm room. I didn’t speak on it for awhile and it’s taking a lot for me to even type this out but I believe it’s worth it and necessary. In the past year I have not only struggled mentally, but I have learned that we live in world

where the victim is at times treated worse than the one who caused the pain. Through it all however, I am more than grateful for my family and friends who have stood by my side, who didn’t question my story simply because they knew my rapist and for just being present when I was

unable to. I am more than proud of myself for refusing to allow that experience to consume me. Despite having things to work on still, I am overall at peace. I have fought long and hard in silence and today I have decided that I didn’t want to anymore, nobody should have to.

I hope that anyone else who has or is going through something similar has the strength to at the least, confide in someone about it. It’s not a burden you’ve caused or have to deal with alonehttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Red heart" aria-label="Emoji: Red heart">.