April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month: In February, I finally came forward about my abuse after a public online incident happened with my abuser. That was the first time I was forcibly confronted with my reality. I couldn’t hide the abuse or pretend it wasn’t taking place anymore. Before this, I lived in denial and shame of what others might think of me, thought things were my fault, and was terrified what my abuser might say/do if I spoke out or pressed charges. Part of his fear tactics he instilled in me was damanging my reputation or credibility with recordings/texts of my trauma responses to his abuse. It was something I saw him do with his previous victims and I bought into it for so long. Abusers are often extremely charming, smart, and very good at being social chameleons so they can adjust accordingly to distort the truth, gain trust and groom individuals to be future victims or supporters. While I was ashamed of my experiences and disliked using the label victim, I have actually found so much liberation in speaking my truth and shedding light on the fact that I am not alone. Further more, the online incident, despite it being so public, provided me with a level of accountability to never go back him and also to learn more about Sexual Assault and DV. After doing research, therapy, and pushing forward in the court system, I found comfort in knowing I wasn’t alone. Meanwhile, I also found fustration in the fact that there are still many flaws in our legal system and society when it comes to addressing DV and sexual assault, believing survivors as well as holding perpetrators accountable. Someone you know has been assaulted by an intimate partner (1 in 3 women). Thus, this issue affects people in your life. Statistics may shock us, but stories provide a face to the suffering of the survivors in our community. Every survivor who shares their story indirectly speaks to another survivor and gently reminds them they are not alone. Nonetheless, as society, we have a collective responsibility to create safe spaces that build a culture of acceptance and accountability rather than a culture of shame and silence. Stand with survivors.