I've decided to stay anonymous.  I really struggled with this.  Thought about it a long time.  Felt pulled in two directions.

On one hand, my inclination is to name myself.  I fully own that I am an incest survivor.  It is not a secret I keep in my life. I feel absolutely no shame about it.  I want to be an example to others of overcoming shame.  So, I don't want anyone assume that I am anonymous because I am ashamed.  That is simply not the case.

On the other hand, for years I have seen sexual abuse survivors lambasted on social media and the internet.  Cruel and horrible things are said about and to them.  I'm talking about great folks, like the women who wrote A Courage to Heal.  I don't understand it, but I know it is real.  I decided I simply don't need that.  I have done a lot of work to heal from the abuse I endured as a child.  Today, I am at choice about more things than I was when I was abused.  Like this.  And I choose to not open myself up to more abuse.

I hope you understand.