For a long time now, I've been wanting to create a space where people can talk about Sexual Assault openly, freely, honestly - without fear of judgement, or even need for understanding. Sexual Assault impacts absolutely everybody. 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted, and each one of them has friends and family who also need support. It is confusing and scary, it creates indelible changes in the lives of everyone it touches.

At the same time, no matter how many people you talk to, everyone has a really different experience, there is little or no common-ground, and I'm not sure there can or should be. But, what there should be is open dialogue. Dialogue that doesn't involve shame, or blame, or fear.

So, whoever you are, please join me in talking about this. Share stories, ideas, inspirations, fears - whatever. Let us know if there are organizations you like that are doing something to make it better. I've been there, and, years later, live a full and happy and fulfilling life filled with all kinds of love..

I'm sure my story will unfold as we go, but in the mean time, please check out the organizations that I have listed in this Cause forum. FEAR project is a great group here in Seattle that facilitates dialogue on many levels. They inspire me, and i am devoted to helping them continue their work in whatever way i can. Also, SART, in Saint Louis. I was a SART volunteer years ago, and was privileged to work in emergency rooms with rape survivors while they were being cared for immediately after an attack. The transformative opportunity to help them did wonders to help me find my own voice and power again, and I hope to be able to continue that work in some way, someday. (Maybe I ought to just get JUST CAUSE up and running first!)

Thanks for joining me here. Now, let's talk about it!