On January 28th, Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement, came to Stony Brook University to host a public forum about security and empowerment of victims of sexual abuse.

If you don't already know how awesome Tarana Burke is, let me tell you; she is the senior director of programs at Brooklyn-based Girls for Gender Equity, she was Time magazine's Person of the Year, and she dedicated 25 years of her life to social justice reform.

Tarana discussed how sexual violence survivors need healing and how communities can define what healing looks like; it looks like policies and spaces that protect citizens, legislators on board, and funding for those who need services.

More than anything, Tarana believes that survivors of sexual violence and harassment need empathy. It's so easy for people who have suffered trauma to feel isolated and alone. But when people open up about their shared trauma, by saying "me too," there's an automatic connection.

For people who have not experienced sexual violence and don't know what to say, Tarana said, "Ask people what they need. Say 'Is there any way that I can help you?'" And if they don't need anything, don't harass them.

The event was hosted by i-tri and L.I. Against Domestic Violence, along with NY State Assemblywoman Christine Pellegrino and Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn.