Sexual Assault

I was probably the most religious kid you ever met. I genuinely believed in God, the way that most kids believe in Sunday morning cartoons and rainbow colored fruit rollups.

My sexual assault is the main reason my girlfriend and I didn’t celebrate the love-infested holiday for the first six years of our relationship. Last Valentine’s Day, a month after we celebrated seven years together, was our first time embracing the holiday as our own.

Because survivors aren’t masked superheroes: They’re humans.

If you're planning to dip back into the nostalgia zone with your kids, be prepared to discuss issues like sexual assault and consent when they come up.

I feel like I’m in this in-between space where I have deep sympathies for sexual assault victims and am incredibly passionate about issues of rape culture.

I sexually assaulted my ex, and I don't know how to make things better. I have apologized and told her I would give her all the space she needs.

If you don’t want false rape accusations, don’t sexually assault anyone. Don’t even come close to sexually assaulting anyone.

And Mr. Ivy League, if you’re reading this, know that you caused harm. I’m setting down my shame, like an old coat that no longer fits. The shame is yours.