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Turning Trauma Into Action: Advocating for Education After Sexual Assault
- kathrynwatkins5
- Apr 8
- 2 min read
By Monique, PPAM Storyteller
Between 2017 and 2018, I met a man online and, after talking for some time, decided to meet him in a public place. Unfortunately, the man I was supposed to meet and the guy I did meet were two different people, but I didn’t realize this until he already had me alone at his apartment. He was physically larger than me, making it easy for him to ignore me when I told him no.
At the time, I had little knowledge about sexual health, pregnancy prevention, or emergency contraception. Due to neurological issues, my memory retention is poor, and I don’t drive. I had just moved to Michigan and wasn’t familiar with Uber or Lyft, leaving me no choice but to stay until morning and escape when I could. My memory of that night faded quickly due to my intoxication, and I wasn’t able to fully process what had happened until weeks later. I also didn’t know how to report a sexual assault or much about sexual assault in general.
In the months that followed, I had no reason to think I was pregnant. I had started taking birth control a month before my assault, and periods had been arriving on time. I also had a history of health issues like UTIs that sometimes delayed my cycle. However, after three months, I noticed I had missed my period. I took a pregnancy test as a joke, convinced it would be negative since I hadn’t been sexually active before or after the assault. I was shocked when the test came back positive.
I immediately searched online and found Planned Parenthood. After learning more about pregnancy and what abortion is, I carefully considered my options. I spoke with a sexual assault advocate who connected me to other survivors. Their willingness to share their stories helped me feel confident in my decision. A week later, I ended the pregnancy. Given the circumstances, I knew this was the best choice for my life. The procedure went smoothly, and I felt relieved knowing I had made an informed choice.
Though I still carry trauma from that time, I have been able to grieve and heal. Today, I have built a great life for myself. I have been studying criminal justice and homeland security since I was 15, and I recently re-enrolled in school to continue pursuing my goals. Having access to the information I needed and the ability to make my own choices made all the difference in my journey.
I am grateful that this person has been out of my life for years. We crossed paths once in a brief interaction, but I have moved forward, focusing on my education and sharing my story to encourage others to seek help when they need it.
Are you ready to share your story related to abortion, birth control, IVF, gender-affirming care, or other reproductive health care? Click below to submit your story.
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