** Trigger Warning: Sexual Violence Content**I feel like since the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court of the United States and the subsequent testimony of Christine Blasey Ford, everyone is expressing their opinions on all things sexual harassment/assault. I wanted to write this blog for a while and feel nauseous even attempting it now. However, I am hoping it offers me some sense of relief or closure. Back Story: During Christmas of 2018 I implemented a "12 days of Christmas" blog series were people sent in stories to me about struggles they had gone through in their lives. I posted their stories anonymously as well as one of my own. Today I am going to be revealing which of those stories was mine (but, WILL NOT be releasing any other information that would negate the anonymity of the other stories. This WILL remain anonymous). Now, here is the reason I'm sharing this. In the last week, I can't even count the number of times that I've heard a conversation involving " those money seeking hoes that wait decades to speak up just for attention or fame." Now perhaps it is my own personal experience in this area, but I believe in saying that let alone thinking it is incredibly naive. Except for talking to my therapist and anonymously posting on this blog, I have never mentioned it before and - it's been over 10 years. Actually, I take that back- I have mentioned it previously. When I turned 18, it was like my brain gave me some access to memories it had repressed until then so, it actually took me 10 years just to mildly remember what had even happened. Once I did, I was hurt, angry, and most confused. No matter how hard I try even to this day, it's like my brain will only let me remember what it has deemed unacceptable. Now, me being the take action person I went on a mini-crusade or a fact-finding mission if you will. You see, at the time in my life this happened I was around a lot of older kids- so I reached out to a few and discovered that I was not alone. As far as I was able to tell 5 girls had experienced very similar traumas, including myself. Now here's why I'm even picking at this wound. NONE OF US SAID ANYTHING. That does NOT make what happened to us any less real or any more up for debate. Even to this day, I'm the only one that knows about all 5 of us girls who are survivors of a teenage predator. The others didn't want their stories shared, so I kept them to myself and will continue to do so. I also want to say that I do not consider myself a victim - this is one of the reasons I've never made a report. I do not want to be victimized because I am more than that experience, I survived and work to overcome it. Many women who have experienced similar situations and I are SURVIVORS - because we take ownership of our stories and do not give power to the one who assaulted us. It is also my considered opinion that if you don't know the extent of what people around you have gone through this topic should not be openly discussed. For help or Support you can Contact: RAINN: https://www.rainn.org National Sexual Violence Resource Center: https://www.nsvrc.org Joyful Heart Foundation: http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/learn/sexual-assault-and-rape/resources/hotlines-and-more-information You are more than your struggles. XOXO, Hunter I don't just fight for myself... Have you heard of Sand Cloud?! I became an ambassador for them as a way to fulfill my calling to #savethefishies. You can use my code: "Hunterferguson99800" to get 25% off you purchase! 10% of any purchase made goes to marine conservation organizations. "Fact No. 100: In the US Alone Approximately 500 Million Straws Are Used Every Day."
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Hunter FergusonHolding her Associates of Arts in Political Science, Implementing Beneficial Community Project, and having Led a Student Collaboration team at her college of attendance- Hunter chooses to blog about the world around her as well as her personal experiences in hopes of creating a Powerful group of like-minded people. Archives
July 2019
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