Dear Jane Doe

Dear Jane Doe,

I first want to tell you that I am so sorry for what happened to you. You did not deserve it, it was not even close to your fault and I believe you. Now I want to tell you something: Long ago I was you. I was raped. I was raped at 21, he was 9 years older than me. I am not going to tell you the whole story but I will stand in solidarity with you and all the survivors of rape/sexual violence. I will always do that. Please know that you are not alone.

You did not cause this, you did not have any fault in this situation please remember that and the fact that you came forward now took a whole lotta courage and I am in awe of anyone who comes forward. Don't listen to anyone who tells you that it was your fault or that you caused it or put yourself in that situation. Please Don't ever believe that. It's not even true. I will never agree with that. You did nothing!

I hope someday you find love and healthy love, and I hope you heal and use your story to help others. I will be doing that. I will never ever not stand in solidarity with you. Please know that. Anyone who criticizes you is wrong. You were hurt.

I will wear purple for you and any other person who has been raped. I will use my story to help others and I hope that someday you find the courage to do that as well. You're not washed up, you're not wasted, you didn't do this by choice. I will always believe you, please know that this is not your fault. It took me YEARS to realize I was raped and that what happened to me was not even close to okay. And the damage? I now hate men (Except gay guys I LOVE YOU) I hate physical contact and I don't believe in love anymore.

I will never let someone close enough. I will fight hard. I will never be more than just friends with a guy that chapter of my life is closed. And guess what? I got the degrees he said I wasn't smart enough to get, I got them. I got the A's he told me I wasn't smart enough to get. I got the honors, I got the grades. I bounced back. You can do Jane. You can. I have total faith in you. I always will. Please know that you are not a statistic you are a valuable person and you do matter. I will never not believe you. I was you once. I was you twice. I was you for 6 years. to me love was lay down and shut up. NOT ANYMORE. I got out and you did to. I am so proud of you. Please keep talking we need to raise awareness for you and anyone else. PLEASE keep talking.

And there is something else I want you to know Jane, a few years ago I interned at a Domestic violence shelter and all proceeds from this piece will go directly to them. I am doing it for you and anyone else that hasn't been believed. You are worth it. I hope you know that. I will stand firmly in solidarity with you and anyone else. I know I keep saying that but I mean it wholeheartedly. You are more than this and you are not this. This was on 7 men who honestly deserve to rot in hell. I believe you