The Thing About Being Heard
When I initially broke my silence in 2008, I was scoffed at, belittled, victim-shamed, and mocked…by alleged allies involved in anti-sexual violence activism. Yes, really. Activists are not necessarily trauma-informed nor empathetic. That’s just a myth.
Over the years, I’ve told my story via print, internet and broadcast media, spoken before military and college audiences, filmed a PSA for the Department of Defense, and lobbied for change on Capitol Hill.
Even after all of that, I was still humbled to meet Senator Barbara Boxer after I spoke before the Congressional Military Sexual Assault Prevention Caucus in 2016. Sen Boxer sought me out afterward to tell me she heard me when I spoke. She emphasized that HEARD me. For a survivor taking the time to tell their story in public, in a vulnerable way, that’s a big thing.
A really big thing.
