Someone could make up a million reasons to try to validate what has occurred, but I won't ever be that person. I will believe you. I could name a list of things I will be there for, but it would go on forever. The amount taken away from you I can never give back, but I will believe you and here's why.

1. I understand what it feels like to not be believed in.

I understand the pain that comes along when someone does not believe. I will believe you if you tell me you have been sexually assaulted because I am capable of understanding. I will use my words to support you rather than deteriorate you. When people who do not understand a situation and try to, they often do not say the right things.

2. You need support.

You need people who are going to support you. People will leave as much as that hurts to say. They will and you will find yourself confused as why. You need someone who is willing to say I stand up for you and I support you. You will be making a lot of decisions soon and you need support to find the resources you need. Your support system will support you no matter if you decide to report, or you do not.

3. You are loved.

Simple as that. You are loved and cared about by so many people Your life matters, and right now things might be a little fuzzy. You may experience terrible parts of the trauma, but I am going to love you through it. I love you, and many others love you. The person who inflicted this crime on you is awful. This person took a lot from you already, but they will never take mine or others love away from you. I will never leave and will always stand by you.

4. You are not lying.

The truth is if we have gained a friendship strong enough where you are able to tell me you that you were assaulted, I would know you are not lying. I would never believe someone is lying in these situations. So to all those people that think victims are lying; you are silly because if they are lying the truth will avail. Sexual assault is already victim blamed as it is. Therefore, if someone gets to a stage where they are able to convict someone of a crime judicially or criminally, I am pretty sure they are not lying. By choosing to not believe I would still be believing a side. A side that pursues victim blaming, which is why I will always believe the victim.

5. It is not your fault.

Nobody asks to be sexually assaulted. What happened to you is not your fault. I am not going to punish you for what happened and leave. I know you did not make the choice for someone to do this which is why I believe you.

6. If you do not think something is right, It isn't.

I don't care if you were drunk, drugged, or sober if something does not feel right then it is not right. Only you know your body. Never forget that. Whether it was ten years ago or yesterday. If you woke up bruised and battered, or you were awake the whole time I will believe you. It will not be my responsibility to tell you what to do, or what exactly happened, but I will find someone who can.

7. Sexual assault is hard enough.

Let's just throw out there how simply hard life can be. To then be sexually assaulted, you are going through enough. You do not need unsupportive people to make it harder. This may live with you every day, and will not be up to me or others on how you should heal or cope through it.

8. I know everything you are about to lose.

Everyone heals differently, but you may lose a lot. I will be here to try to prevent that for you, by believing and providing support. The things you lose during this time will all be gained back in the future. You may not have the same friend group, or go to the same school, but you will still have me and I will still have you.

9. You have somebody.

I know it sounds repetitive, but I want you to know you have somebody. You have somebody when everything's said and done that stood by you and believed you. I will be there for you if you need someone at doctor visits, the hospital, or at the police station. I will be that somebody that is always there physically and emotionally supporting you.

10. You don't deserve this.

Nobody deserves this pain. You already experienced the abuse and you are one of the strongest people I know. Even when you have survived the pain, and the trauma I will still support you.

When you could not sleep, or you slept too much. When the nightmares come in a bunch I will be here. When you have to decide what to do, I will support you. When you can't make it through the day I will be there. I would never need a reason to believe you, but these are just a few reasons why I would.

Resources that may help you or a friend include KnowYourIX.org and OHL.Rainn.org.