Reunion Online

Over the past several days, we have heard and read many hurtful, disrespectful statements about sexual assault. People all over the country are speaking out and standing up to say ENOUGH to the beliefs and attitudes that misplace blame on survivors, excuse perpetrators, and allow institutions to look the other way.

One of the affects of my abuse that has followed me into my adult life until just recently is being accepted.

I’ve always been intrigued by the different choices people make, while working to restore good boundaries in their life after an experience of abuse.

First, I have to decide to make it happen. Then, I go looking for it.

I was pleased to join the work of 1in6.org as a new Board Member in June. In the three-plus decades that I have been involved in the anti-violence movement, I have witnessed the movement grow to reach new constituencies, and embrace new approaches unique to the needs of particular client groups.

In my experience, one path to true happiness and freedom is forgiveness, which is why I love writing about it.

Earlier this year, Parul Sehgal wrote an essay examining “compulsory survivorship”—the tendency to label everyone who has had an abusive or unwanted sexual experience as a survivor.

I found an old photograph recently. It’s a flimsy, bent Polaroid print of myself as a child.

I found an old photograph recently. It’s a flimsy, bent Polaroid print of myself as a child.

I don’t normally associate hotels with great works of art. Yet there I was, standing quietly, intently staring at a tree in the makeshift gallery on the mezzanine of the Washington DC Hilton.