My journey as a survivor of sexual assault began when I was a college sophomore. I remember the night was like any other night … except I found myself at the mercy of a male student-athlete.
What started off as innocent kissing quickly turned into a nightmare when I realized I no longer wanted to continue.
When I voiced my desire to leave, he ignored me. He pushed me down and subjected me to a harrowing experience of sexual assault.
RAINN reports that more than 26% of undergraduate women are raped or sexually assaulted during their time in college. I became one of them.
The aftermath was a whirlwind of emotions and confusion. The day after the assault, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably in class and on the bus ride home from campus. I confided in a friend —- which turned out to be a double-edged sword as they doubted my story, leaving me feeling isolated and invalidated. It wasn't until another friend's boyfriend noticed my distress that I was finally offered support. He reiterated that what happened to me was not okay. He provided the comfort and support I greatly needed at the time.
For a year I carried the weight of my trauma alone. It was a class writing assignment that compelled me, at last, to confront the impact the assault made on my life. Writing about it —- putting words down about it —- became the first step I took toward healing.
The journey was far from easy. I attempted to get therapy, but was met with insensitive questions that did nothing except fuel my self-doubt and guilt. I felt even more defeated and alone.
Several years later, I stand as a testament to resilience and hope. With time, I found therapeutic outlets that nurtured my healing journey —- allowing me to reclaim my voice and my sense of self. I’m committed to being a beacon of support and understanding for fellow survivors and their loved ones.
I’m proud to partner with RAINN —- a place that gives survivors like me the understanding and the advocacy they need to recover from trauma. With your support, they can continue to be there when survivors face their darkest moments.
Today I use my experiences as a way to educate others on the importance of empathy, validation, and unconditional support in the aftermath of sexual assault. No one should endure the pain of trauma in solitude, and I am determined to ensure that no survivor ever feels alone on their path to healing.
This April, join Hollis Brown to make sure RAINN provides the tools that give sexual assault survivors the chance to heal. Make a contribution today – and know that your gift will deliver crucial support and services for adults living with trauma.
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Hollis Brown, a coordinator of partner strategy and management for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks, was the 2022 Miss Wisconsin finalist. Brown was the 2019 Miss Black Virginia finalist before moving to Charlotte, N.C., to work for ESPN, then moved to Wisconsin to work for the Bucks. In her role as Miss Wisconsin, she used her platform to highlight sexual assault awareness and prevention.