As someone who writes about their personal life often, it is not done without a lot of criticism coming my way. Whenever I post something that can attract a rebuttal, I usually receive one almost immediately.

Last week, I was given the opportunity to run the @WVUstudents account on Twitter. Someone took my information and sent it into a group chat for gamers.

The people in the chat looked at my personal account and began to tweet rude and incredulous things at me. They said that I deserved to be sexually assaulted again because I tweeted about my support for Hillary Clinton. They called me in this group chat and recorded it to put on YouTube. They asked me about the details of my sexual assault and told me that I had a receding hairline and a "Jew nose".

I thought about this and I was pretty upset when it happened. The fact that people can be so low, so disgusting and take the time to say something of that caliber really shocked me and appalled me as well. For someone who is constantly busy with school, volunteering, and friends, it is astounding to me that they had enough time to pursue something so obnoxious. Not only this, but that someone is so miserable that they feel the need to make fun of someone for something that is out of their control, especially in the name of politics.

I then went back and read the messages I received from the article I published about my assault. Friends, family, and those in positions that I respect, so many people reached out to me, saying how much it helped them and how it inspired them to try and pursue help and positivity. This meant more to me than any nasty thing someone could say to me.

I then decided to forgive the people who said and did these things to me because I know that something must have happened in their lives to make them hateful. I hope that someone, somewhere makes them realize how we all have the ability to make the world an amazing place and gives them the tools to do so.

I am an accomplished, confident, and motivated young woman. I know my place and worth in the world and I know that I am capable of doing amazing things. I share my stories and my opinions to give a voice to the people who don't have one. I will always take the risk of getting backlash for something I post, as long as it helps at least one person.

Please do not be afraid of helping others and standing up for what is right. No one can tell you who you are, for they will never be in your shoes. This is your journey and your story and anyone is damned if they think they can tell you otherwise.

You are entitled to what you think, feel, say, and do. No one, anywhere or at any time, has the ability or the jurisdiction to make you act differently. No one is important enough to make you change your narrative voice to fit their means.

You are wonderful. You are capable. Do not let anyone, anywhere, tell you how to voice your opinion or your story.