Taking Back my Power by Hannah

Taking Back my Power by Hannah - July 2024 Scholarship Essay

This last year, I have been fighting within the justice system for an incident that happened to me September 2022. I was the victim of a sexual violence crime at 19 years old. This act of violence against me rocked my whole world. I had never felt more alone in my whole life. I was away at college for the first time, it was supposed to be fun, safe, and not take away so many parts of my body and soul. I decided to take a stand, to speak out, to tell my truth and my story unlike so many women who never get the chance to. I brought my case forward to the justice system. I fought back against my attacker.

After he was charged with 3rd degree felony sexual assault. I kept pushing for a punishment. His acts would not go unpunished, I was and still am so determined that this crime does not go unspoken and not unjustified. I have been fighting for two, very long, very tiring years.

I am still fighting, now at 21 years old. The biggest thing I have learned this last year, in the midst of this trial and these times of darkness is to never give up on what you know is right. To hold others accountable for their actions, even if you are afraid. I lost friends over this trial, I have people say they didn't believe me, they thought I was being dramatic or silly or just wasting people's time. I chose to ignore those people and counited to speak out against sexual acts of violence and have proved that I have massive amount of perseverance, strength, and courage. I know this trial does not define me, but it has shaped me into the person I am today and I am in some ways grateful for what happened to me two years ago, as it has allowed me to learn to take back my power, and to never let another person's actions define me and who I am.

I am going to use my story as a testimony of strength to others who may have gone through similar experiences and be a light in the darkness for them along the way. I want to be the person who speaks out against violence. I am majoring in psychology and legal studies, I plan to use my degrees to be an advocate for others for their own mental health and in the justice system.