Survivor Stories

Monica's Story

Monica Calzada was intoxicated when she left a college party with her ex-boyfriend’s best friend. “It turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life.” It wasn’t until she started telling her story more openly that she began to process and acknowledge what happened.

Tagged in: Barriers to disclosing, Campus assault, College student, Dancing, Therapy

Alison's Story

Alison worked with a number of law enforcement officials and attorneys to help convict the man who raped her. She believes calling attention to challenging aspects of the criminal justice system may help more survivors feel prepared to report and call attention to weaknesses in the system.

Tagged in: Dancing, Dissociation, Exercise, Forensic exam, NSAH, Rape kit backlog, Seeking justice, Self-care, Therapy

Wendy's Story

Wendy was in college when a stranger hid in her car and raped her, but her rape kit wasn't tested for twenty years. Two decades later, Wendy shares what it means to find justice and to live a full and happy life.

Tagged in: College student, Forensic exam, Rape kit backlog, Seeking justice, Trial

Debra’s Story

Debra was just 15 years old when the abuse began. It can be difficult for an individual to disclose sexual assault or abuse when they know the perpetrator. It can be especially difficult if the perpetrator is a family member.

Tagged in: Childhood sexual abuse, Grooming, Incest, Manipulation, Religion, Substance abuse, Writers

Barbara’s Story

It wasn’t until she was talking to a classmate that Barbara realized the experience wasn’t normal. It can be challenging for teens, who are new to dating, to recognize that sexual assault and abuse may be part of an abusive relationship

Tagged in: Barriers to disclosing, Giving back, Intimate partner sexual violence, Intimate partner violence, Multi-perpetrator sexual violence, Teenage survivors

Julianna’s Story

Julianna's stepfather used to babysit her after school until her mother returned from work. It was on one of these afternoons, when Julianna was just eight years old, that he first exposed himself to her.

Tagged in: Barriers to disclosing, Childhood sexual abuse, Incest, Seeking justice

Lucy’s Story

After the assault, Lucy lost her voice—a struggle that would be difficult for any survivor, but was heartbreaking to a professional singer like Lucy.

Tagged in: Anxiety, Barriers to disclosing, Campus assault, College student, Depression, Forensic exam, Music, Seeking justice, Substance abuse, Therapy

Adam’s Story

Adam had always enjoyed spending time with his uncle, and would often look forward to sleepovers when they could have extended time together. On one of these occasions when he was 14, their normal activities turned abusive. He was confused by his uncle’s actions; nothing like this had happened before.

Tagged in: Barriers to disclosing, Body image, Childhood sexual abuse, Grooming, Incest, Male survivors, Manipulation, Religion, Teenage survivors

Keith’s Story

Keith testified in front of a grand jury and the perpetrator who abducted and raped him was indicted, but the the man responsible never stood trial.

Tagged in: Barriers to disclosing, Childhood sexual abuse, Male survivors, Seeking justice, Trial, Writers

Samentha’s Story

After being disheartened by the lack of police response from the first two assaults, Samentha hesitated to report the third rape, which occurred on her college campus.

Tagged in: Barriers to disclosing, Body image, Campus assault, College student, Dancing, Disordered eating, Giving back, NSAH, Seeking justice

Survivor Stories

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