On Sunday the 29th of October I uploaded a video entitled ‘Me Too – My Story Of Sexual Assault’. It details the assault I suffered at the hands of an unknown male, while I was living and working in Manchester in 2013. While walking home to my city centre apartment, partly through Manchester Piccadilly train station, I was followed by a man who on 3 occasions groped me. The fear and shock I felt in response to his horrific behaviour rendered me partly frozen as I struggled to take control of the situation unfolding. As my assault ended the man retreated back into the train station and then proceeded to grope another woman. He has never been recognised despite very clear CCTV images and also details of his travel and car being released.

Recently, stories of sexual assaults in their many forms have been shared across social media using the #metoo hashtag. This powerful movement has awoken so many of us to our own experiences and to others of what they can do to help stop the progression and support the many survivors. I am in shock at how many people have shared that they too have been assaulted and also in awe at the bravery of the people sharing those stories. Together we are exposing just how often these assaults are happening and together we are stronger.

I made the decision to film and share my story so that the conversation around sexual assaults doesn’t end prematurely. With the never ending breaking news pushing so many stories to the sidelines, I don’t want to see this incredibly important topic fall by the wayside. It’s a continuing topic thats severity has been underestimated and ignored for so long and if I can use my platform to continue the movement, I would be doing a disservice to everyone that follows me by not doing so.

The response to my story has been overwhelming. From people bravely sharing their own #metoo stories to people voicing their support for survivors of these assaults. I feel so proud to be a part of such an important movement like this and to be able to continue the conversation. Thank you to every single person that has shared their experiences, to everyone that has offered their love and to every individual that has taken the time to share my story and my attacker’s face, in the hope he will finally be identified. By sharing my story or yours, you’re continuing the #metoo conversation and for that I am eternally grateful and thankful.

We are stronger together x