Liz Ferro Speaks for SlutRock (SlutWalk) D.C. 2014

This event – and movement – is quite close to my heart and goes beyond the shared synergy of Girls With Sole and SlutWalk – and our missions.

When I was sexually abused as a child, I wrote about the things that my neighbor was doing to me- and having me do to him- in a Garfield and Pookey assignment pad that I kept hidden in my room. I suppose writing about it was a way for me to get it out, and feel rid of it. It was my way of telling someone- without actually having to tell anyone.
When my mom found the assignment pad and read it – I was at school. That day when I got home I knew something was wrong the minute I walked into the house. All of the reasons that I was afraid to tell anyone about the abuse became a painful reality and confirmation in my young mind that I was “right” not to say anything. My mom was angry and confrontational with me about what I had written. The worst part about it wasn’t that she found out my secret. The worst parts were that she questioned if it was even true. After I assured her that it was, she actually looked at me in the eyes and asked me why I had felt that it was so important to me that I needed to write it down. As a kid I wasn’t prepared to answer such a question with the basics of psychology 101 and the cathartic affects that writing can have on an abuse survivor. I also had no idea that I would be standing up one day for the rights of other girls who have also been blamed for something that was clearly not their fault, and dedicating my life to empowering girls in need.

My abuser lived the rest of his life without ever having been punished for what he did to me, and maybe to other girls as well. I lived in a silent hell for quite a long time, as my mother chose silence as our method of dealing with what had happened to me.

It’s beyond unjust for a child, or anyone who is sexually assaulted, to feel like they are the ones to blame, or that they aren’t worth standing up for.

I contacted the leaders of SlutWalk D.C. and they asked me to come and speak at the event. Due to some permit issues, etc, they needed to change the date that was originally chosen to a date that I wasn’t able to do due to a marathon I’m running for GWS. Instead, they asked me if I would like to create a video.

Again- my answer was a resounding YES! It wasn’t as easy for me to create the energy on a video made with my phone in my living room that would equal the energy of a live event attended by thousands of passionate people – but I did my best to get my message across- while my dog Rico walked around my feet, sneezing.

If you have a spare 9 minutes and 33 seconds – please take the time to watch my video presentation. You just might feel the POWER and want to share it with others!

CLICK HERE!