I wish to simply state that over 90% of the women I have been in a relationship with were the victims of rape. My mother included, and she suffered permanent and debilitating injuries during this process. One of them was actually kidnapped as a 14-year old girl and sold to men and couples from within a locked room for months. I can only recall 3 that were not.

You could argue that something in me sought this out: you’d be mistaken, however. Most of them never or only very rarely discussed it. After the first few experiences of being told this, I would generally ask. I still do. There are, of course, exceptions. But when you get right down to it: our society is incredibly sick, and it’s hidden nearly everywhere it’s happening.

These women clued me in that something was horribly, terribly wrong around here… and almost everywhere… and nearly no one is paying attention. And it’s not merely the women, either. Men are also raped. And even less of them come forward.

But I never forget.

And I’ll never stop trying to solve these problems at their roots.