Marissa

I want people to know that their voice truly matters.

Even if the outcome doesn't reflect the truth, the truth still matters.

I've had to mourn the person that I was before the rape and really before all of this.

And that's a version of me that I will never know again.

I miss her, but I honor her by using my voice when there are thousands of other women who don't get to use theirs.

I want to do this so that other women know that they're not alone.

I know that so many women go through this and it's so important to me that they know that there is help out there.

If one door closes, another door will open.

You might just have to shove it open.

And I really just want everyone to know that the most important thing is not necessarily getting justice because a lot of times we don't get justice.

But the most important thing is using your voice because that builds confidence in yourself.

And that is usually what is destroyed when someone sexually assaults you.

My voice was taken from me that night and throughout this process.

But I fought so hard to get it back.

And now I'm going to make sure that all of the people who were negligent in doing their jobs hear me.

So I just really want everyone to know that even though something terrible happened to you, that doesn't have to be your story.

Your voice matters no matter what.

And the truth matters no matter what.

I think that the most positive thing that has come from this is definitely the confidence that I built back in myself.

I have always been a people pleaser and for me to stand up for myself and make other people uncomfortable has really helped me in my healing journey.