Below is the 10th submission to the Community Forum for Survivors submitted anonymously on 10/8/2018.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: 18 (plus other ages, other instances)

The survivor's age now: 73

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

"I was spending a few months with my aunt and her family. My uncle (by marriage) sneaked up behind me when I thought I was alone in the house, wrapped his arms around me, and gave me a tongue kiss. He often commented about my breasts, and when we were at the Griffiths Observatory, he put his finger up the back of my shorts and tickled my butt. When I complained to my aunt, both she and my uncle said I was making too much of it. In fact, he said to me, "Why are you this way? What will you do when your husband tries to undress you? Run away?"

There are many other instances with other men. No outright rapes, but certainly crossing the line... hands up my skirt, unwanted hugs (while rubbing their chest against my breasts), forced tongue kisses, grabbing my breasts in public, comments in front of colleagues, exposure when I was nine years old, etc.  

Fortunately, my parents always backed me up. But you can't go to your parents when you're past 18, and you can't go to the police for anything short of rape."

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.