When you tell a story like mine, you carry responsibility - to yourself, to other survivors, to the girls or women who are still trapped and to the truth itself. This is not about a particular race. It is not about a particular religion. It is simply another form of subjugation of girls and women. Simple.
I don’t tell my story to hurt anyone.
I don’t tell me story to incite hate or anger.
I tell it to help someone. Anyone, in the same or a similar situation.
I tell it to bring awareness. That this happens in the most unlikeliest of places. This happens behind closed doors. This happens behind a trusting smile.
I tell it because silence protects harm. We need to stop hiding behind silence and have the courage to speak out.
I tell it because truth protects women. It gives them a voice.