Letter to the editor
I never thought my life would look like this. I never thought I would be writing this letter, or that my name would be in the paper for something so painful. I am just a college student. I lost my mom, and I have been trying to survive and find my place in the world. I am not a bad person. But one night destroyed the sense of safety I thought I had, and I will carry that trauma for the rest of my life.
About ten days ago, I was drugged and sexually assaulted. I wasn’t even aware it was happening — I didn’t know I was being drugged, I didn’t know I was being raped. By the time I realized something was wrong, it was already too late. I was left on the side of the road, bruised, barely conscious, and alone. The police eventually found me, but I was in shock, terrified, and in fight-or-flight mode. I wasn’t fully aware of what I was saying or doing — I was just trying to survive. I know my interaction with the officers was confusing, and I want to say I am sorry for that. Even so, one officer showed me real compassion that night, and I will never forget that he kept me safe in my most broken state…