As you can imagine, I was shaken to my core.
On a rainy evening in the Safeway parking lot, my daughter
I doubt it, and here’s why - he had no consequence to his actions. His back to me, I wondered if his assault on my daughter even crossed his mind School student at the end of her freshman year, and he walked that same fieldĪnd took his seat at graduation, as well. You see, my daughter was sexually assaulted by another high As I watched my daughter walk so graciously across the field and take her seat, I felt a very familiar heartache, and I know she felt it, too. Beautiful words were spoken about the graduates, the incredible teachers and our special town. My daughter graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in June, and it was a gloriously happy day. However, we need to remember bad things still happen here, and it is OK to talk about them. We all live in this beautiful town, and it is easy to get lost in the wildflowers and Champagne powder. I also challenge us to come together and support one another and talk about hard issues. I challenge us to expect more education for students, support for survivors and assistance from the school leadership surrounding sexual assault at the Steamboat Springs High School. Do not let anyone else dim your light.Īnd Steamboat community, I challenge you to believe survivors. Survivors at the high school and in town, I challenge you to stand up and speak your truth. Students, I challenge you to support and talk to one another. Parents, I challenge you to talk to your kids about sexual assault and make it clear that sexual assault is not OK. But, I have tried my best to use my story to empower others and create change.Īs I said, I will forever cherish my childhood here, but I want to challenge us, as a town, to do better. I have been able to compete at an international level in my chosen sport and rebuild my ties to family, friends and community. Today, I am happy to report that I will be attending a great college in the fall. As a girl, and I can’t speak for all girls at the school, I often felt sexualized by the male students.įor me, my graduation day felt like an iron door of a prison in which I had been shackled to my abuser finally opening. However, in my opinion, there exists a culture that protects athletes and ignores anyone who may stand in their way. The high school has wonderful aspects: great teachers, many of whom I became close to at my years there, a grand campus and a gorgeous backdrop. To my knowledge, the Steamboat Springs High School administration, or at least the school resource officer, knew about my assault, but I was never once talked to or checked on. Even when I walked across the stage to receive my diploma, he was just a row behind me. Seeing him almost daily forced me to constantly relive my trauma. I struggled to enjoy prom when he was dancing close enough to touch me.Īt almost every high school event, he was there. I struggled to have fun when he was three seats away at a football game. He was one of the popular kids in school, and he seemed to have it all while I struggled to learn when he walked into my classes. Academically, I still kept almost perfect grades, but socially, I lost my friends and isolated myself. For me, forward meant my junior year in high school with him.Įver since my assault, high school became hard. I expected that a confession would result in action, however, the District Attorney said my report was untimely and, therefore, could not be taken on as a case.įeeling betrayed and shocked, I had to keep moving forward. To this day, sitting in the sterile police interrogation room with a male detective and elaborating on each microscopic detail of that day is one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do.Īfter reporting, I waited to hear my attacker’s response. Reach out confidentially to an advocate by calling the crisis line at 97.Īfter a whirlwind of tears, counselor conversations and questions, I decided to report. Advocates of Routt County offers 24/7 support.
The content of this series can be upsetting or triggering in relation to a trauma you directly or indirectly have experienced.