While The Way I Used to Be is a work of fiction, it is a fact that there are millions of very real young people out there who have, in some way, shared Eden’s experience.
Every 107 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted in the U.S. Did you know that 15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under age 12?
29% are age 12-17
44% are under age 18
80% are under age 30
93% of juvenile sexual assault victims know their attacker
Girls ages 16-19 are 4 times more likely to be victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault *
So, it is likely that someone you know, someone you’re close with – a friend, classmate, or family member – has experienced this kind of abuse. It is so important to talk about sexual violence, yet there is still such silence surrounding these issues that touch us all in one way or another.
For more about why I wrote The Way I Used to Be, see “The Story Behind THE WAY I USED TO BE” at GERM Magazine.
* statistics come from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website at rainn.org – check out R.A.I.N.N and other organizations that are fighting to end sexual violence on the Resources page.