You, a survivor not only of sexual trauma but all that may have accompanied it: family secrets , Church secrets, military and organization secrets and silencing, incarceration, profound neglect in any category, being invisible and made mute--being blamed or blaming oneself, gaslighted, demonized, legally thwarted, financially strapped, physically demoralized in health and mind, addicted, shamed by the system and shamed within--exhausted--alone.

It feels like the perpetrator won...

Since the beginning of human interaction, the phenomena of evil has competed to overtake truth and power.

We could freeze, capitulate, or self destruct in despair. But here’s the thing. There is power in standing in your own truth. It is why you are still here, against the odds.

Don’t give up on yourself, or a community that sees you, hears you, believes you. You may have to take the plunge and risk the possibility of connection that is real, where you are truly seen and heard.

There are those of us who do see you, who can hear you, and whom you can join. We may not look like you, or come from your familiar spaces. But here we are, ready to stand together. This may not seem like much when you have been so alone. But it is there and it is strong.

We are with you.