To the Women Who Have Suffered,
I want to start by saying that I see you, I believe you, and I am angry on your behalf. I’m furious that we live in a society that so often turns its back on you, that excuses and enables the very violence it pretends to condemn. I cannot fathom the weight of what you carry, but I can say with certainty that it is wrong, it is profoundly, monstrously wrong, that you were hurt and that the world let it happen.
This country was signed into existence by wealthy, powerful men who wrote laws to protect themselves, not their daughters. And here we are, centuries later, still fighting to hold them accountable. It’s devastating to live in a nation where sexual violence is not only tolerated but so often excused or outright ignored. Where a man can boast about abusing women and still ascend to the highest office in the land. Where power and privilege shield abusers while survivors are blamed, silenced, or forced to relive their trauma in a court system that was never built for justice.
The saying goes, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” But I’d argue that coming in a close second is the fury of those who love those women. I am livid on your behalf. I’m sickened by a system that failed to protect you, that dared to tell you it was your fault, that made you feel abandoned and alone. And I’m enraged that we have become a nation willing to trade justice for a cheaper carton of eggs.
I’m so deeply sorry for what’s happened to you. But I need you to hear this: your pain, your sadness, your anger, they are valid. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. And if you can, channel that sadness into a righteous fury. Fight back against those who would dismiss you, mock you, or perpetuate the system that allowed this to happen.
If it feels safe, speak your truth to those you trust. Your voice matters. Sharing your story can help others understand the real, human impact of this broken system. It can remind them that these injustices aren’t abstract, they’re personal. They affect someone they care about. And that knowledge, that connection, can change hearts and minds.
The world is full of monsters, and I won’t pretend otherwise. But you are stronger than you know. Learn what you can. Arm yourself, not just with knowledge, but with allies, with self-defense, with everything you need to protect yourself in a world that too often won’t.
You are the granddaughters of women who survived and resisted in ways we may never fully know. Women who fought to protect each other, who hid scars and buried truths, but who kept going. That strength is in you, too. And there are people, friends, allies, supporters, who will stand with you, who will help you carry the weight and fight back against the darkness. Hold on to them tight.
I can’t offer you much beyond my unwavering support and my commitment to help stop more from suffering what you have. But know this: I am rooting for you. I believe in you. And when you rise, when you refuse to let this world break you, you will not stand alone.
With all my respect and solidarity,
R.L. Lawrence