April is sexual assault awareness month. It’s already been 6 years since I divorced my abuser and 4 years since my trash the dress photo shoot. I will forever treasure these photos. Some people think Aubrey is a rape product, but she’s not. I became pregnant with Aubrey soon after I left my ex-husband because I was afraid to say no. I was homeless for a week and then accepted the offer of moving in with a coworker. I lost my voice because of being raped. When I said no and defended myself, I was beat and raped, and I was afraid to say no again. What made it worse is the fact that my ex-mother in law said I deserved it because I had wife duties and I was young and vulnerable and I believed her. It took months of counseling and therapy to get my voice back.

Every 2 minutes, someone becomes victim of sexual assault. 1 in 6 women; 1 in 33 men. 80% of victims are assaulted by a known acquaintance. 60% of sexual assault is not reported to authorities.

I thought that was my end, but in reality it was my new beginning.