Take Back the Night

Last night, Julia and I attended Take Back the Night at West Virginia University. What a moving event. The march down high street, the word spoken by Dr. Crystal Leigh and the open mic (where victims of sexual assault spoke out about their stories) were a combination that led to a true humbling at the end of the night.

I walked in at the beginning of the event, unsure of how many were just supporters or advocates against sexual assault. At the end of the night, after many had bravely shared their accounts my tears were impossible to hide. The stories shared were many. They each were so incomparable, so tragic and so sad.

I always say, you never know what someone is going through.. but I can’t even begin to explain how humbling it was to sit there and watch people share their sexual assault stories and think that each time someone saw them on campus, they had no idea the struggle they were going through.

My take away from last night is huge. I’m thankful and blessed I was able to connect with the group of women I did last night. I will never look at people the same way again and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to glance an ounce of judgement on another human being again.

Thank you WVU and Dr. Crystal Leigh and thank you Julia for allowing me to accompany you. I know that your take away was as humbling as mine.

I was truly touched and received some needed personal healing.

-Shae