When I was in 7th grade, I met this guy. He was older than me by at least a year and I had the biggest crush on him -- he totally knew it too. I was the most insecure child which I told him. I thought he was my friend so when he told me to send him a picture, fully clothed, I trusted him and did. He told me I was pretty but that he didn't fully know because he couldn't see all of me. After more convincing, he got me to send him more photos, each time with less clothes on. The next week or so, he 'confessed' that he got horny from the photos and started demanding more. I was hesitant at first but I wanted him to like me so bad. I was 12. Then, once he was done with me, he would only reach out every two or three weeks. He had made me so reliant on his words for my self confidence that when I was reading an online story and they talked about an anonymous website where you could meet strangers and chat, it was all I wanted. I met more and more men, older and older, who took advantage of me and groomed me further to meet their needs. Now, I'm 18. That little 12 year old is so sad and hurting but trying to heal.

A few months ago, I was able attend a Take Back the Night march and tell my story. I said the words through tears and it was so healing. That sense of community...people I didn't even know hugging me...dm's on Instagram thanking me for sharing. That meant the world to me. I wish I could say I was writing this update on a happier note, but it's actually to update about a second situation. My younger brother, who grew up with his phone locked down and was told my story by both my parents and myself when he was old enough, recently got in contact with strangers on the internet. Photos were exchanged, words were sent. He's a freshman in high school, so he's older than I was but still a minor. He's also sneakier than I was. When my parents take away apps on his phone, he uses his VR headset. Instead of texting, he emails. He's been manipulated into this feeling of need and it's heartbreaking to experience as a survivor.