The trouble with being a victim is that you’re expected to act within the narrow confines of everyone’s expectations of one.

I was the Communications Director at the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault during the height of #MeToo. I spent many hours talking with survivors about the potential consequences of going public. I often looked at my notes, full of every consequence I could think of for them to consider, and wondered if I’d have the strength to do the same. I never imagined I’d be in that position myself, but I also never imagined that someone who sexually harassed me would work at my child’s school.

After my experience reporting to our local school district and then going public as our legislation was introduced, it seemed as though my notes could use an update.