Every 100 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted.

"I'm sorry I never said anything, but hear me out."

In case you missed it, in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein allegations (along with many other people who are known to the world) - I know, that's old news - the hashtag "Me Too" and "Time's Up" has been trending.

Behind the sayings: it's simple, if you've been a victim of sexual harassment or assault, or know someone who has, you can use the hashtag for support.

Since the Weinstein allegations came about, my timeline has been nothing but post, after post, after post of #MeToo or Times Up. Sexual assault and rape is a sad reality for many women and men, including myself.

It's time to get real...

I haven't written for The Odyssey in awhile because, well, I've had this article in my "drafts" folder for forever and just seeing the title made me squirm and close out of my dashboard. It has taken me MONTHS of courage to write this - and honestly I'm still unsure if I'm ever going to publish this article....I guess if you are reading this, then I swallowed that lump in my throat. It's such a hard topic to talk about, but this needs to happen.

I have been filled with such a deep sadness lately. I'm so goddamn tired of people not listening. How many times do we have to keep shoving the statistics in your face? Sexual assault is a terrifying thing no matter what, but it doesn't just happen to celebrities. ONE in FIVE of us women and ONE in SIX men have become a victim of sexual assault. Everyone else is living in a world where this is permitted to happen. This is not "new news", this is not something to take lightly. Are you blind to not think that the statistic of sexual assault cases could possibly be your daughter? Your son? Your wife? Your husband? Your niece? You nephew? Your co-worker or your friend?

If it's not a celebrity that it happened to, then it must have been OUR fault. Why do you think so many people keep this a secret? Humiliation and fear of being put on the spot. It seems that when a celebrity comes out about sexual assault, EVERYONE is trying to help them and is trying to "put a stop to this", but when it comes to average, everyday men and women?

It's obvious: Were you drunk? Was he/she drunk? Are you sure you didn't give consent? Were you being provocative?

Stop asking such stupid fucking questions and making it feel like it's always the victims fault. Instead of persecuting us, HELP US.

And for our friend's that we have opened up to, please stop telling us what we should've done: "You should have gone to the police" or "You should have told your parents". If you haven't been in this situation, then you don't know how goddamn hard it is to say out loud "I was raped.".

For everyone else - why is it so easy to joke about rape or abuse? It's not funny. It's actually really hurtful and in all honesty, you're part of the reason for what's wrong with the world. PLEASE STOP THIS: "He/she said he would hit me if I did ____, LOL", "He/she said that if they were horny enough and I was knocked out, they would still have sex with me."

And PLEASE PLEASE, when someone is being open with you about going through something as hard as this, keep the jokes aside and open your ears and listen. Hug them. Let them cry. Just don't turn it in to a goddamn joke.

I'm done being quiet, I'm done trying to act like this didn't happen to me or any of my friends. It did - and it's still happening to other people. It's time to SPEAK UP and STAND UP.

If you or someone you know is being abused or sexually assaulted, there is always someone willing to help. For confidential help call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). You're not alone.

"You're not a victim for sharing your story. You are a survivor setting the world on fire with your truth. And you never know who needs your light, your warmth, and raging courage" — Alex Elle