Today, April 23, Harper-Grace reached out to friends on Facebook with this status and gave me permission to start her online petition. 

I am a survivor of sexual assault and the Homewood Police Department arrested me and are prosecuting me for filing a false police report.

I did not file a false police report. YES --- there was alcohol involved. YES --- there was lack of clarity of the events that happened that evening. NO --- I did not file a false police report.

I have had enough flashbacks and nightmares to know that something did happen that evening.

For the record, I haven't had a drink since September of last year.

I am concerned that Homewood PD is attacking this with such voracity and that if this case goes to trial that other survivors may not want to come forward in fear that they too may be told they were lying to the extent of "filing a false police report" and getting arrested instead of being heard and helped.

I am a rape survivor who is facing jail time, and my rapist is getting away with their actions. This can affect the rest of my life, when my life has barely begun. I have fought a University who has told me I was lying. Now I'm facing a whole police department telling me I'm lying.

I'm not lying.

I am being vulnerable and asking for those who are constituents of Homewood to please contact your councilmen and the mayor if you feel lead to help. I feel like this is an issue that is larger than me, and can possibly impact our community in a negative manner. Anything you guys can do to help would be more than appreciated.

#sexualassaultawarenessmonth #sexualassaultactivismmonth #SAAM#30daysofSAAM #justicefailssurvivors #homewoodalabama#courageconnectioncompassion