Finding Strength in the Face of Adversity

My experience as a Field Representative has allowed for plenty of opportunities to vocalize my dedication for victims’ rights, however, this past week I had the chance to speak from my own experience at the Take Back the Night Walk in Madison, Wisconsin. 

Take Back the Night is a national movement which is dedicated to spreading awareness about sexual assault and empowering all survivors of sexual assault, and their allies to come forward to “take back the night”.

As a senior in college, I was sexually assaulted by a man whom I had never met. I believe that there was something placed in my drink while I was out with friends because the next twelve or so hours of my life are still blank from my memory to this day. I spent the following day bouncing between SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner), advocates, and police officers, all of whom were trying to help me come to terms with what had happened. 

It’s hard to put onto paper the impact that sexual assault has on a person because it comes and goes in waves. Some days you feel empowered enough to speak out about taking back the night on the steps of the capitol, and other days you feel so defeated that you can hardly get out of bed. The survivors and allies at Take Back the Night embodied all of these emotions and sent a message of strength in the face of adversity.

Working with Marsy’s Law puts me into contact with incredible men and women who are all dedicated to the empowerment of victims, and I am proud to be able to work for an organization devoted to such an ideal.  

Sincerely,

Ashley Albright

Field Representative

Marsy's Law for Wisconsin