I was 14 when it happened. I am now 17. It’s been nearly 3 years, that’s hard to believe. I wasn’t abused more than once like a lot of people sharing their stories here, but I still think it is important that I share to help me and potentially others try and avoid the situation.
I was staying in a hotel with a group of kids from my school. The organization that we were staying with had set up these parties in the lobby so that we could hang out and get to know each other. I decided that I was too tired to stay so I went on up to my room to go to bed. When I got there I used my key card and went in. As soon as I was inside and my room door shut. I saw him. He was standing there with an evil smirk. I was screaming at him to stop as the pain was getting worse, he just laughed and kept going.
When he was finished, he threatened me not to tell anyone or else he would do it again, so I stayed silent for a couple years. When I finally got the courage to speak up to someone, they were very supportive and helped me let some of my emotions about the whole thing out.
I am really glad I told someone because if I hadn’t, I’d probably still be living in fear. I understand that it is really important to tell someone and I also understand how scary it is because you don’t know how someone ill respond, but I promise in the end, if they care about you, they will be supportive of you.
— Survivor, age 17
Dear survivor,
You are so incredibly brave and strong. You are such an inspiration. I am so proud of you for speaking up, but also for sharing your story and your wisdom. Every story is important and your story and experience with disclosing will provide so many survivors with the courage they need to finally tell someone. You are an incredible force. With love, Alissa