April is sexual abuse awareness month so,

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​My name is Ciara, im 19 and im a chippewa native from Belcourt, ND. Almost four years ago I was raped by a friend of a friend. Earlier that night he’d promised our mutual friend he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me. He’s attacked multiple girls, my friends. I decided two months after the incident (August of my sophomore year) that i had to seek help, since i was seated next to him in ninth hour and I couldn’t forget the way he smiled at me as he walked in. Instant tears. I was a crying shaking mess and stared at the floor the whole class period. No one asked why. Not even the teacher. My boyfriend was there. So was my bestfriend, and ill never forget the look on their faces when they heard Stetson and Ciara got seated next to each other at the very front of the class for all to see. It hurt me. He hurt me. I avoided the class and waited it out in the office everyday with my counselor. When i decided it was time to talk about it she was not at school the entire week. She’d become very close to me over my freshman year, learning about my living situation. She even bought me shoes for my birthday. I finally went to a different guidance counselor and told her everything. I remember accidentally cussing because she’d made me frustrated by making me repeat touchy parts of my story. “It happened in a fucking field in the kent-addition” she called a criminal investigator to the school to speak with me. My friend waited outside the office for me. I told him everything, and I mean everything. It made me uncomfortable bu i knew i had to do it. I’d told my friends a few days before and she told me that he had attacked her too in the kent-addition. So I mentioned her name to the criminal investigator too. I had to go through a lot in the process of trying to get justice and by doing so and coming out publicly about stetson, more girls have come forward to tell me he’s hurt them too. I’ve been called a liar. A slut who couldn’t have him so I made up a story. Ive been told to get over it. To let it go but I can’t! I refuse to let someone like him get away with this. My mother was attacked by 7 men for 8 hours straight when i was 5 years old. She didn’t get the justice she deserved and i know of so many other beautiful men and women of my tribe and of the world who haven’t and may never get the justice they deserve. After everything I’ve gone through, he’s been charged with multiple counts of aggravated sexual abuse and im in touch with some very sweet FBI ladies who have been helping me. Know that you’re not alone and that you deserve to be heard. You’re beautiful no matter what. And i know it’s scary and difficult but seeking help in such a tough situation can be as reaching out to a trusted friend or family member.