This is a story I have never told before. The reason it has never been shared is because I always assumed it was no big deal and it was something most young women experienced. This incident was the beginning of a decade of sexual assault. I was sexually assaulted when I was 16 years old. I had agreed to go over to my sister’s boyfriends house where they were throwing a small get together. Pretty soon after arriving, I realized my sister and I were the only women in a group of 5 males. After hanging out and drinking too much alcohol ( I had never really drank before), my sister and her boyfriend decided to go to bed. I was now alone with a group of 17/ 18 year old boys. The brother of my sisters boyfriend( let’s call him John) started taking a lot of interest in me now. Being very drunk and tired I knew I needed to lay down and go to sleep. John offered up his mattress instead of me taking the couch. I naively accepted. He forced himself on me and forcefully touched me all while I was too drunk to even lift my arms. This went on for what felt like forever. The next day, he pretended like nothing had happened. I’ve kept that a secret up until this point. If I were to give any advice, it would be to speak up. Speak up in the moment, speak up and tell someone. No one should feel out of control with their own body. Your comfort is THE MOST important thing. -sending love to all and wanting to let you know you’re not alone