As a woman, a lot of times we don’t tell when we have been sexually assaulted or raped, and why? Because we are afraid that no one will listen. I am writing this petition for every victim to be heard and have a voice for change! Recently I was raped by a man that I thought was my friend for the past 6 years. In the past we did have consensual sex at times, but during this incident, it was not consensual or even allowed at all. The day after the assault, I made a report. I sat in the hospital for nine hours giving an almost 5 page deposition, having pictures taken of the bruises and bite marks, getting swabbed from the rape kit, having severe emotional breakdowns and giving the police my phone to prove I was with him and when. I even ended up telling a friend and sent that person a video of me in distress that in turn, they wrote a statement on my behalf. I did everything to prove I was a victim. Two and a half months later I get a phone call from the local investigator claiming that my assailant lawyered up and just said it was consensual so the local DA let him walk. Since it happened, I’m not alright mentally or emotionally and now I’m just discarded. If a victim has gone through that much to prove how they were victimized, then they need to be heard! We need to change how we are treated after an assault! Just because someone said yes before, all of a sudden it warrants them to mean yes every time? I don’t think so! I need us to rally together and get our voices heard! Will you please help?