Below is the eighth submission to the Community Forum for Survivors submitted anonymously on 10/6/2018.We appreciate the trust this survivor, and all survivors, place in us by sharing their stories. Note: MCRCC does not allow comments on blog posts.

Survivor’s gender identity: Female

The survivor’s age at the time sexual violence was perpetrated against them: 19

The survivor's age now: 59

The survivor’s description of sexual violence perpetrated against them:

"When I was 19, I was attending a house party as a partner of the bass player in the band that was performing. I was drinking and using other recreational substances that evening, so when a guy I just met said, "Beer run - who wants to go?" I told him I'd go with him. We got into his car and all of a sudden he was on top of me in the front seat, with his hand around my neck and his tongue down my throat. The doors were locked and I couldn't get my arm around to unlock the door. I remembered a suggestion from a rape prevention movie I saw in high school, and when he gave me a moment to breathe, I said, "Let's go someplace where we can be alone together." He started the car and we drove away, and at the first stop sign I jumped out of the car and ran. I was lost in the neighborhood - I didn't know where I was (and I was impaired), so was wandering the streets trying to find my way back to the party house. A nice lady saw me and asked me if I wanted to come into her house, as her son was home and he was a police officer. The nice officer...TOOK ME BACK TO THE PARTY HOUSE. And by now, the guy who assaulted me had returned with the beer. I told my partner, who told the other band members, and they took the perpetrator out behind the house and beat him up. Vindication of a sort, and still...I couldn't watch Dr. Ford's testimony."

If you or someone you care about has been sexually assaulted and is looking for resources or support, MCRCC provides a confidential helpline available 24/7 at (831) 375-4357. We support survivors today and always.