Genevieve

*TRIGGER WARNING—talk of sexual assault, with some detail*

I am so heartened by the strides we are making as a culture right now. Rape culture is becoming a topic of conversation–we are calling it out and working toward eradicating it. The trolls are out, of course, but I truly feel we are taking steps toward a brighter future. Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have had the language or the understanding I have today to describe what I’ve felt my whole life. I’m heartbroken these strides we’re making are piggybacking off of a tragedy (and thousands of tragedies before this one). So, I share this today to add my voice and be an advocate for anyone who has felt the same as me. And perhaps to add a different take.

I am the one in four women that has been sexually assaulted.  I was date raped at the age of 16 and I was a virgin. I lived in a smallish town in Iowa and for fun we would often go to bonfires and drink and make out and do general mischief in the middle of a field we’d find. So, per usual, one weekend I went to a bonfire with my friends to meet the guy who I’d gotten to third base with the weekend before. My friends and I were trying to coordinate this meet so that my crush and I could talk about dating. To my delight, he was at the party and ...