My Journey to Healing
At the age of 13, my friend’s father attempted to sexually assault me. Six months later when I was 14, that same man kidnapped me. With the help of his daughter, he was able to take the assault further while they tortured me verbally, emotionally, mentally, psychologically and spiritually. After it was over, and I was able to return home safely, I was threatened with consequences if I told. For six years I silently lived in fear and shame. I blamed myself and was convinced that if I told anyone that they would blame me too. Even being around my peers I felt isolated and alone.
In the fall of 2005, my healing and my life would begin. I am a Catholic who believes in God. I truly believe that in October of that year that God placed me in the Molly Bish Child Advocacy Center. That was the first time that I disclosed my trauma in full detail. Patty (our former Director) introduced me to John and Magi Bish who offered me an internship. I spent the next 4 years traveling with Patty, John and Magi across New England conducting Child I.D. Kit Programs. Besides Patty, John, and Magi I decided that I was not ready to publicly share my story. Conducting the Child I.D. Kit Programs gave me a positive way to work through my trauma in a productive and healthy way, which allowed me to continue to heal.
In 2017, I began conducting Child I.D. Kit Programs on my own as a representative of the Molly Bish Center and I really started feeling called to speak and share my truth. In 2018, I saw a Facebook post from our local YMCA about a self-defense class being held called Escape Alive Survival Skills. I had trained and earned my licensure as a Rape Aggression Defense Instructor in 2010 and decided I could use a refresher. I dragged two of my closest friends with me. After hearing the speaker share her story and after the class was over, I spoke with the speaker who gave me the contact information for Jane Doe No More.
In November of 2019 I took their Survivors Speak training and graduated. After meeting others who were like me who survived the same type of violence that I had, I finally felt accepted and like I belonged. I felt like I had a tribe. With the support of my fellow Survivors Speak members, I have been speaking publicly and sharing my truth ever since. I am now PROUD to say that I am a Survivor. My journey has been long but through the Molly Bish Center and Jane Doe No More, I found my purpose and my passion. I now hold a B.A. in Social Work, a Master’s Certification in Victim Studies and I am currently earning my MSW Degree at Boston College. Today I am a Survivor who is beginning to Thrive!
— Rachel O’Grady, Jane Doe No More Survivors Speak Outreach Team Member
