Content Warning: this story contains references to child sexual abuse
I often think about how I saw him in the news, after his crimes against me progressed to worse. I think about the 4 years he took me to court, constantly, to contest my protection order. I think about if the courts would have listened to me, about how serious of a threat to society he is, those little girls would not have been harmed. I often wonder why something worse had to have happened in order for the courts to actually put him away for good. After all, he only got 30 days for stalking me, and got off 10 days early.
I sold my face to the news once he was finally locked up. It was the most empowering thing I had done in half a decade, since I had to hide for so long. I told my story, I told the news that he harmed me, and I listed the other women he stalked too. They went on the news as well.
I wanted those little girls, ages 11, 13, 14 and 16 to know that they weren't alone and their lives weren't going to be ruined. That everyone in our community will know of the factual crimes that this one stalker committed before he did worse. So that they could feel safe walking the city knowing that they aren't judged, but instead, protected by city eyes.
I wanted to have that when I was younger, but I didn't. I was always asked "why won't he leave you alone?" and "are you still talking to him?" As if I had the answer of the "why" and heck no was I still talking to him.
I lost my career because of him. I lost my college education because now I have PTSD from him on campus, I lost many friends, and social value. I was a recluse, called crazy, and a walking dead person.
But now, he's in prison and everyone who blamed me knows the truth. I hope they feel remorse.
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