ME TOO

While we’re at it, #metoo

If you’ve missed the news this past week or lived under a rock then that won’t make too much sense, so I’ll give you a quick refresher.

One of Hollywood’s top producers has been accused by over 40 women of sexual abuse or harassment. Just google it. It’s all over the Internet. All over. 

The trouble is, it’s not just Hollywood. It’s not just big time producers, big wigs, or CEOS. It’s small towns. It’s in the backyard at your best friend’s home. 

IT IS EVERYWHERE and sadly it is every single day. 

The #metoo movement started to show just how many people have been affected in some way, shape, or form. It’s pretty scary to know just how many victims there are. I’ve been pretty reluctant to write this. I can count on one hand how many people I’ve ever told. A therapist I saw a couple of years back being one of them. Between Twitter, Facebook and Instagram I just couldn’t escape it. It’s everywhere and as much as I know it’s in the past, it was rearing it’s ugly head and all I knew to do was to speak up. I didn’t want to at first. But after lots of tears shed this past week, I figured it was time. It won’t stop this person from hurting others, but this movement is making some noise. Hopefully, it changes lives too. 

I wasn’t sure what I was looking for in even writing anything. Definitely not pity, but more of an awareness. 18 years is long overdue for charges to be filed, but it doesn’t mean it never happened. 

I wasn’t sure my story was as bad as so many others that have spoken out but it’s my story. It happened. It shouldn’t have. It is illegal every single way you look at it. 

It began after the summer of my 6th grade year. This man, who my family trusted dearly, would (to put it lightly) play with himself in front of me. Believe me, I was mortified too. I’m getting sick just trying to write it. I didn’t know what to do or what to say. 

It happened over SEVERAL occasions and I remember them all very vividly.

I really wish I didn’t.

I really wish I would’ve spoken up sooner. 

I wish I wouldn’t have been afraid to get anyone in trouble. 

I really wish that it never had happened.

I wish that it didn’t play a part in molding my childhood and my teenage years. 

And I so wish I was the only one, but I wasn’t. 

I wasn’t sure if I should even relive the past I try to think about so little. A past that I have healed from. I don’t blame those who won’t post. It’s definitely not for everyone. Talking about this in the small town I grew up in would be so taboo. I’m not looking to name names or delve into this story anymore than I have, but please know that it happens. And it’s not just to celebrities. It’s to those around you. 

We HAVE to be more aware of our loved ones, we HAVE to ask questions, we HAVE to be mindful, and we can not doubt.

And we HAVE to always speak up. ❤️