That warms my heart. Thank you, Amanda, for posting.

I'm humbled and saddened at how many women have said publicly or to me privately in the last 24 hours that they were raped as well. This is clearly an epidemic in our state and beyond; I urge all of you to talk about this; I am honored to use my story to help start those conversations.

Ronni Mott has more sexual-assault stories coming in the future, and we're going to continue this effort past Chick Ball, including with a gospel event we're doing with Rev. C.J. Rhodes of Mount Helm. Let us know if you'd like to help with it, and please get in touch with Ronni if you'd like to tell her your story (with or without your real name) or write a piece about it yourself for print or online. I also invite you to share your story in these comments if you'd like. The catharsis of sharing it with others is very real, and your story is likely to touch a victim or even a would-be rapist.

Thanks to all of you. It's been an amazing 24 hours since this story went public. Thanks to all of you for your bravery in sharing your stories out there and with each other. It's such an important step.

Now, come to Chick Ball: jfpchickball.com for more details. It's a fun event for men and women with a very serious mission at its core. For only $5 or a donation of an item, you too can be a philanthropist. We welcome you with open arms and lots of bling.

We've got this, Jackson.

All, all of the auction items aren't pictured -- many are still coming in this week (we'll take silent auction items until noon tomorrow/Friday). We're updating this list as we go here: [jfp.ms/chickballdonations][1]

All the info you need on the event is at [jfpchickball.com][2]

[1]: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/20…
[2]: http://www.jfpchickball.com

Yay, Emma.

Thanks much, Carol. Hugs back. ;-)

I wish that was possible, Will. It's been decades, there is no physical evidence, and he would probably sue me if I revealed his name. I would probably lose because I can't prove it at this point. So I'll have to settle for telling my story in hopes that it can save some other victims.

On a tangential note, I really wish you and others wouldn't post under the cloak of anonymity. I've found that the power, and the rewards, of our words are so much strong when we have the courage to use our real names. I encourage you and others to try it.

Thanks for writing.

Not Texas A&M or Missouri, that's for sure. *ducks*

Remind me again what they're doing in the SEC!? My home and work life just got more complicated as a result.

Yes, it's much more common than people know—precisely because people don't feel like they can speak up. We can change that as as society, in part by sharing our own experiences. Also by challenging people who excoriate women with sexual and violent language just because they agree with them. Don't forget all that the culture of online harassment and stalking is what helps enable these kind of criminals now. Be part of the solution, all.

Please do, Emma. And thanks much for the kind words.

We'll find out, D. Meantime, I was also a bit surprised to hear that Anthony Dean had landed at the city. This story was fill of interesting bits.