Federal Funding Cuts Hurt Survivors

I am a survivor of prison rape.

Not by another inmate, but by someone who was supposed to protect me — a prison guard. While serving my time, I endured a violation that no human being should ever experience.

This wasn’t just an individual act of cruelty — it was a systemic failure. I entered prison with a sentence to serve time, not be robbed of my dignity. What happened behind those walls left deep emotional wounds, scars that cannot be seen but are felt every day.

Sharing my story with Just Detention International gave me my voice back. Becoming a Survivor Council Member gave me purpose. It showed me that I was not alone — and that my voice could be part of the solution.

I now work to uplift others, to advocate for safer systems, and to demand accountability. Through my involvement, I’ve witnessed firsthand how vital funding, training, and sexual abuse audits are to protecting lives and bringing change.

Without funding:

• Victims will be silenced before they ever speak out.
• Abusers will operate without fear of accountability.
• Training will be weakened. Audits will become meaningless.
• Survivors like me will be forgotten.

This is not just about money — it’s about humanity. We need more training, more trauma-informed approaches, and stronger audits — not fewer. We need to protect people in detention, not make them invisible.

I was a victim. I am now a survivor. And I will not be silent.

#IAMNOLONGERSILENT
I WON’T BE SILENT