This happened by chance and had I not taken up this opportunity so quickly, I doubt that I would have been able to meet incredible people such as Vice President Joe Biden, Brie Larson and Lady Gaga. A few months ago, during one of our Planned Parenthood club meetings, my friend Micaela asked on behalf of one of her professors if any of the people attending the meeting that had been a victim of sexual assault would be interested in supporting Lady Gaga on stage at the Oscars. After hearing that, I don’t know what came over me, as I had never publicly taken a stand against my assault or told anyone about it besides my family. However, I felt that this was something I had to do in order to prove that I wouldn’t hide behind what happened to me, but instead go and face the entire country. I had a night to think about this and make a decision. I called my sister because I was conflicted on whether or not this was a good idea. I didn’t want my extended family and cousins to find out about my assault this way. I decided, however, that I needed to do this for myself and to not worry about public perception. I am glad I stuck with my gut feeling.

The next morning, I was on my way to rehearsal and I was so nervous. Once I arrived, I realized I had nothing to worry about as I was welcomed with such warmth and support. I met so many people, both men and women, who have been sexual assaulted and for the first time in my life, I was surrounded by people who actually understood what it felt like.

For once, I was truly not alone.

Many of the people who came out for this were from the documentary, The Hunting Ground. I had only heard about this film from classmates who had seen it or discussed it in their classes. To be able to meet the men and women who bravely told their stories was simply incredible. When Lady Gaga came out to meet us all on the first day, she came without any makeup or fancy clothes and apologized to us for not being able to be “Lady Gaga" for us today. She was in tears. She hugged every single one us and her mother did as well. I was so taken aback by this gesture, and could not help but come to tears. I hadn’t realized that she was a survivor too. Here we were, 50 survivors on stage from all parts of the world and Lady Gaga right there beside us. It was on the last day of rehearsal that we all made a promise to get matching tattoos designed by one of the survivors as a symbol of unity. To this day, I am proud of my tattoo and will never regret it because of what it symbolizes to me and all of the other survivors.

This incredible experience is one that I will never forget and is something that I will share with my children and future generations to come.