Trigger Warning: this article describes sexual assault and may be triggering to survivors.
The story about the accusations against Roy Moore that he sexually assaulted a young teenage girl has really hit me. I’ve been melancholy, nauseated, stressed, unable to sleep. I even bought a pack of cigarettes after having kicked the habit long ago. Even with all the high profile sexual assault stories in the news, this one really pushed my buttons. Now, her story is the first thing I think about every morning, and the last thing I think about at night. Her story is always in the back of my mind. Tears flow and I have no control over when or where, because I am so grieved for her. It’s not her story, but the response to her story that compels me to speak out.
In my life, I’ve listened to dozens of stories of sexual abuse and assault from women (and men) from all walks of life; no one is immune. I’ve gotten pretty good at seeing the truth of a story and filtering out falsehoods and exaggerations. Leigh Corfman’s story rings true. I believe her.
“Why did she wait forty years to say something? Why is she telling this now?” Many women confide in no one until they are much older. Other than one friend and my therapist, I’ve never named my abuser either. But people knew. I tried to tell, but I was shamed and shunned. I don’t know where he is, or even if he’s alive or dead, but you can be sure of one thing: if that man ever decided to run for US Senate, yes, you bet your… [Read more…] about It’s Time for Women to Stop Protecting Wicked Men