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Shattering the silence on sexual assault | Aaron Stone | TEDxSanAntonio


[Music]

[Music] when I was 15

when I was 15

when I was 15 a male middle school teacher mr. richer

a male middle school teacher mr. richer

a male middle school teacher mr. richer pate raped me I knew them for a year

pate raped me I knew them for a year

pate raped me I knew them for a year before he attacked me we met when I was

before he attacked me we met when I was

before he attacked me we met when I was a waiter at a restaurant looking back on

a waiter at a restaurant looking back on

a waiter at a restaurant looking back on that year I used to find it odd that his

that year I used to find it odd that his

that year I used to find it odd that his likes and dislikes began the closely

likes and dislikes began the closely

likes and dislikes began the closely paralleled mine until I realized years

paralleled mine until I realized years

paralleled mine until I realized years later that he was slowly grooming me to

later that he was slowly grooming me to

later that he was slowly grooming me to earn his trust of course I was in shock

earn his trust of course I was in shock

earn his trust of course I was in shock at the bond act that just took place I

at the bond act that just took place I

at the bond act that just took place I stay within my shell I refused the

stay within my shell I refused the

stay within my shell I refused the missions to anyone because that is what

missions to anyone because that is what

missions to anyone because that is what our culture taught me to do well one

our culture taught me to do well one

our culture taught me to do well one here’s a sexual assault they assume the

here’s a sexual assault they assume the

here’s a sexual assault they assume the victim is a female most Americans still

victim is a female most Americans still

victim is a female most Americans still believe that rape is a crime

believe that rape is a crime

believe that rape is a crime specifically against a woman

specifically against a woman

specifically against a woman our testosterone-driven society cannot

our testosterone-driven society cannot

our testosterone-driven society cannot fathom that a man can be the victim of

fathom that a man can be the victim of

fathom that a man can be the victim of rape discussing sexual assaults in

rape discussing sexual assaults in

rape discussing sexual assaults in molestation makes people feel

molestation makes people feel

molestation makes people feel uncomfortable it should it is a violent

uncomfortable it should it is a violent

uncomfortable it should it is a violent unspeakable act that causes people

unspeakable act that causes people

unspeakable act that causes people females and males alike undo physical

females and males alike undo physical

females and males alike undo physical and mental trauma every 100 seconds an

and mental trauma every 100 seconds an

and mental trauma every 100 seconds an American is sexually assaulted a child

American is sexually assaulted a child

American is sexually assaulted a child every eight minutes according to one

every eight minutes according to one

every eight minutes according to one instance an organization who specializes

instance an organization who specializes

instance an organization who specializes in helping male victims one in six men

in helping male victims one in six men

in helping male victims one in six men have been sexually assaulted or molested

have been sexually assaulted or molested

have been sexually assaulted or molested and that is based on those who have

and that is based on those who have

and that is based on those who have reported I am that one at six we have

reported I am that one at six we have

reported I am that one at six we have built a society around various myths

built a society around various myths

built a society around various myths involved in the molestation of young men

involved in the molestation of young men

involved in the molestation of young men by male pedophiles so much so that is

by male pedophiles so much so that is

by male pedophiles so much so that is ingrained into the male psyche since

ingrained into the male psyche since

ingrained into the male psyche since birth especially in this age of fear and

birth especially in this age of fear and

birth especially in this age of fear and then thatha’s now cast for all we are

then thatha’s now cast for all we are

then thatha’s now cast for all we are taught is the accepted norm we teach our

taught is the accepted norm we teach our

taught is the accepted norm we teach our sons that there will never be a real man

sons that there will never be a real man

sons that there will never be a real man because they could not protect

because they could not protect

because they could not protect themselves the question of sexual

themselves the question of sexual

themselves the question of sexual orientation or worse than the day – may

orientation or worse than the day – may

orientation or worse than the day – may become a pedophile these fantasies

become a pedophile these fantasies

become a pedophile these fantasies couple of todays while chisme culture

couple of todays while chisme culture

couple of todays while chisme culture plays fair to pick those mind that could

plays fair to pick those mind that could

plays fair to pick those mind that could cause lifelong social and

cause lifelong social and

cause lifelong social and the problems instead of running the

the problems instead of running the

the problems instead of running the truth they wander through life feeling

truth they wander through life feeling

truth they wander through life feeling confused humiliated horrid and angry

confused humiliated horrid and angry

confused humiliated horrid and angry they believe that no one will understand

they believe that no one will understand

they believe that no one will understand the pain that they suffer so they Danish

the pain that they suffer so they Danish

the pain that they suffer so they Danish League muddled up their emotions they

League muddled up their emotions they

League muddled up their emotions they turn a temporary escape methods to door

turn a temporary escape methods to door

turn a temporary escape methods to door the world around them such as drug use

the world around them such as drug use

the world around them such as drug use alcohol abuse or violence against

alcohol abuse or violence against

alcohol abuse or violence against themselves and others a few days after

themselves and others a few days after

themselves and others a few days after my attack

my attack

my attack I received an apology letter in the mail

I received an apology letter in the mail

I received an apology letter in the mail from mr. Cady although it did not

from mr. Cady although it did not

from mr. Cady although it did not mention things specific one could easily

mention things specific one could easily

mention things specific one could easily conclude that something inappropriate

conclude that something inappropriate

conclude that something inappropriate happened between a minor and an adult I

happened between a minor and an adult I

happened between a minor and an adult I read it once and promptly toss it to the

read it once and promptly toss it to the

read it once and promptly toss it to the garbage a few hours later my mother

garbage a few hours later my mother

garbage a few hours later my mother pushed me this letter after fighting on

pushed me this letter after fighting on

pushed me this letter after fighting on top of the trash rightfully concerned

top of the trash rightfully concerned

top of the trash rightfully concerned she inquired if he had touched me in any

she inquired if he had touched me in any

she inquired if he had touched me in any way be it 15 stubborn embarrassed and

way be it 15 stubborn embarrassed and

way be it 15 stubborn embarrassed and ashamed in other words an American

ashamed in other words an American

ashamed in other words an American teenager I denied that he laid his hands

teenager I denied that he laid his hands

teenager I denied that he laid his hands on me little did I know that it’s one

on me little did I know that it’s one

on me little did I know that it’s one letter will play such a vital role in my

letter will play such a vital role in my

letter will play such a vital role in my life many years down the road and as it

life many years down the road and as it

life many years down the road and as it always does life went on I continued to

always does life went on I continued to

always does life went on I continued to fight the demons within as I silently

fight the demons within as I silently

fight the demons within as I silently waged war against a building depression

waged war against a building depression

waged war against a building depression I joined the army after high school in

I joined the army after high school in

I joined the army after high school in the military during the late 1990s it

the military during the late 1990s it

the military during the late 1990s it was a stigma to seek help at behavior

was a stigma to seek help at behavior

was a stigma to seek help at behavior health it was perceived as a sign of

health it was perceived as a sign of

health it was perceived as a sign of weakness and a possible career killer I

weakness and a possible career killer I

weakness and a possible career killer I became very proficient I keep in my

became very proficient I keep in my

became very proficient I keep in my personal and professional life separate

personal and professional life separate

personal and professional life separate for a very long time multiple

for a very long time multiple

for a very long time multiple appointments can be busy enough not to

appointments can be busy enough not to

appointments can be busy enough not to let my mind wander I was able to move up

let my mind wander I was able to move up

let my mind wander I was able to move up the ranks and into positions of a crease

the ranks and into positions of a crease

the ranks and into positions of a crease responsibilities without anyone learning

responsibilities without anyone learning

responsibilities without anyone learning my dark secret in January of 2010 I

my dark secret in January of 2010 I

my dark secret in January of 2010 I could no longer keep up the facade I do

could no longer keep up the facade I do

could no longer keep up the facade I do not know if those a sight a sound or

not know if those a sight a sound or

not know if those a sight a sound or smell but something trigger my mind in

smell but something trigger my mind in

smell but something trigger my mind in such a way to cause me to have a nervous

such a way to cause me to have a nervous

such a way to cause me to have a nervous breakdown while driving it was hard for

breakdown while driving it was hard for

breakdown while driving it was hard for me to catch my breath as my mind

me to catch my breath as my mind

me to catch my breath as my mind continued to race I finally realized

continued to race I finally realized

continued to race I finally realized keep this to myself I needed help

keep this to myself I needed help

keep this to myself I needed help my first day is we have a health patient

my first day is we have a health patient

my first day is we have a health patient was exceptional I told my story for the

was exceptional I told my story for the

was exceptional I told my story for the very first time in complete detail to a

very first time in complete detail to a

very first time in complete detail to a small group of fellow patients basically

small group of fellow patients basically

small group of fellow patients basically a room full of strangers my accounts

a room full of strangers my accounts

a room full of strangers my accounts were possessed ‘you can eke a skill of

were possessed ‘you can eke a skill of

were possessed ‘you can eke a skill of helping two people to open up and use

helping two people to open up and use

helping two people to open up and use force wastes of powers only if I’ll fail

force wastes of powers only if I’ll fail

force wastes of powers only if I’ll fail I have never spells such a relief as I

I have never spells such a relief as I

I have never spells such a relief as I did that day when my store is finally

did that day when my store is finally

did that day when my store is finally out there I was finally able to walk

out there I was finally able to walk

out there I was finally able to walk upright for the first time in over

upright for the first time in over

upright for the first time in over seventy years the heavy burden of hiding

seventy years the heavy burden of hiding

seventy years the heavy burden of hiding my shameful past finally fell away a

couple months later I research the

couple months later I research the statute of limitations for statutory

statute of limitations for statutory

statute of limitations for statutory rape in my home state of North Carolina

rape in my home state of North Carolina

rape in my home state of North Carolina there were none I called my home tell us

there were none I called my home tell us

there were none I called my home tell us the police department even though it was

the police department even though it was

the police department even though it was a long shot to report my attack the

a long shot to report my attack the

a long shot to report my attack the detectives asked if we could meet for a

detectives asked if we could meet for a

detectives asked if we could meet for a couple days to work out the details I

couple days to work out the details I

couple days to work out the details I submitted a written statement and show

submitted a written statement and show

submitted a written statement and show it over mr. pate lived by the way not

it over mr. pate lived by the way not

it over mr. pate lived by the way not only he had unlimited access to children

only he had unlimited access to children

only he had unlimited access to children during his decades of teaching these

during his decades of teaching these

during his decades of teaching these same kids walk past his house twice a

same kids walk past his house twice a

same kids walk past his house twice a day during the school year honestly I

day during the school year honestly I

day during the school year honestly I didn’t think anything will come of it

didn’t think anything will come of it

didn’t think anything will come of it because all I had was my word against a

because all I had was my word against a

because all I had was my word against a pillar of the communities but I was

pillar of the communities but I was

pillar of the communities but I was happy to start the process the next week

happy to start the process the next week

happy to start the process the next week I received some very good news

I received some very good news

I received some very good news they arrested mr. Payne on charges of

they arrested mr. Payne on charges of

they arrested mr. Payne on charges of statutory sexual offense and take

statutory sexual offense and take

statutory sexual offense and take additionally videos with a minor he was

additionally videos with a minor he was

additionally videos with a minor he was sitting in the Mobile County Jail under

sitting in the Mobile County Jail under

sitting in the Mobile County Jail under captain million-dollars secured behind

captain million-dollars secured behind

captain million-dollars secured behind there in the investigation the

there in the investigation the

there in the investigation the detectives interviewed the formal school

detectives interviewed the formal school

detectives interviewed the formal school superintendent and found on the human

superintendent and found on the human

superintendent and found on the human tracing facts my mother I went to the

tracing facts my mother I went to the

tracing facts my mother I went to the school board with this letter Becky

school board with this letter Becky

school board with this letter Becky broken and as I stated before although

broken and as I stated before although

broken and as I stated before although that I meant anything specific it was

that I meant anything specific it was

that I meant anything specific it was clear there was an interpreter

clear there was an interpreter

clear there was an interpreter between a teacher and a child the school

between a teacher and a child the school

between a teacher and a child the school board game without commentary quietly

board game without commentary quietly

board game without commentary quietly which he did he died in 2013 even though

which he did he died in 2013 even though

which he did he died in 2013 even though I shun her during the weakest home of my

I shun her during the weakest home of my

I shun her during the weakest home of my life my father this brave woman never

life my father this brave woman never

life my father this brave woman never gave up hope once does the rest of a

gave up hope once does the rest of a

gave up hope once does the rest of a public I hope that others will speak out

public I hope that others will speak out

public I hope that others will speak out against mr. paid the odds are slim that

against mr. paid the odds are slim that

against mr. paid the odds are slim that after years of teaching I was always

after years of teaching I was always

after years of teaching I was always shot he assaulted or molested no one

shot he assaulted or molested no one

shot he assaulted or molested no one else came forward now victims need to

else came forward now victims need to

else came forward now victims need to know that they’re professionals out

know that they’re professionals out

know that they’re professionals out there who are trained to help in these

there who are trained to help in these

there who are trained to help in these situations and facilitation support

situations and facilitation support

situations and facilitation support groups for survivors just like them we

groups for survivors just like them we

groups for survivors just like them we no longer have to hide in fear as a

no longer have to hide in fear as a

no longer have to hide in fear as a society Americans can no longer at least

society Americans can no longer at least

society Americans can no longer at least stay on the sidelines of the yummy Boyz

stay on the sidelines of the yummy Boyz

stay on the sidelines of the yummy Boyz II Men I sexually harassed a molested

II Men I sexually harassed a molested

II Men I sexually harassed a molested not only by adults but by the Roma

not only by adults but by the Roma

not only by adults but by the Roma here’s the teammates and it disguises of

here’s the teammates and it disguises of

here’s the teammates and it disguises of locker room crates fraternity

locker room crates fraternity

locker room crates fraternity initiations and military hayseeds we

initiations and military hayseeds we

initiations and military hayseeds we must have the personal urge to normally

must have the personal urge to normally

must have the personal urge to normally accept excuses though this is the way

accept excuses though this is the way

accept excuses though this is the way it’s always been done boys will be boys

it’s always been done boys will be boys

it’s always been done boys will be boys or they knew without getting themselves

or they knew without getting themselves

or they knew without getting themselves into more times it not it has nothing to

into more times it not it has nothing to

into more times it not it has nothing to do

do

do orientation this is about one’s will

orientation this is about one’s will

orientation this is about one’s will over another it is about power I’m sure

over another it is about power I’m sure

over another it is about power I’m sure you’ve heard a fight-or-flight innocence

you’ve heard a fight-or-flight innocence

you’ve heard a fight-or-flight innocence a bottle mechanism that all animals so

a bottle mechanism that all animals so

a bottle mechanism that all animals so including humans use to supply the sense

including humans use to supply the sense

including humans use to supply the sense of traumatic situation it gives us over

of traumatic situation it gives us over

of traumatic situation it gives us over there is also a little third response

there is also a little third response

there is also a little third response freeze for example the Deardon

freeze for example the Deardon

freeze for example the Deardon headlights the brain realizes there is

headlights the brain realizes there is

headlights the brain realizes there is no hope of surviving a situation and I

no hope of surviving a situation and I

no hope of surviving a situation and I supported with the day mr. Paine

supported with the day mr. Paine

supported with the day mr. Paine savagely raped me

savagely raped me

savagely raped me I froze I had no hope

I froze I had no hope

I froze I had no hope it took me over 17 years to finally gain

it took me over 17 years to finally gain

it took me over 17 years to finally gain the courage stand up against him after

the courage stand up against him after

the courage stand up against him after haunting me for so long

haunting me for so long

haunting me for so long was finally I have found hope

was finally I have found hope

was finally I have found hope I no longer need to attend behavior

I no longer need to attend behavior

I no longer need to attend behavior health I know I’m gonna take on

health I know I’m gonna take on

health I know I’m gonna take on antidepressants

antidepressants

antidepressants to get me through the day speaking to

to get me through the day speaking to

to get me through the day speaking to groups just like this is my therapy I am

groups just like this is my therapy I am

groups just like this is my therapy I am stronger now because I stood up not only

stronger now because I stood up not only

stronger now because I stood up not only for myself but for so many others to

for myself but for so many others to

for myself but for so many others to take a predator off the street they can

take a predator off the street they can

take a predator off the street they can no longer safely assault my water that

no longer safely assault my water that

no longer safely assault my water that can all go molest my daughter and that

can all go molest my daughter and that

can all go molest my daughter and that can no longer harass one of your family

can no longer harass one of your family

can no longer harass one of your family members there will be the way you did no

members there will be the way you did no

members there will be the way you did no such as supporting one of organizations

such as supporting one of organizations

such as supporting one of organizations like what is six melzar paradata or or

like what is six melzar paradata or or

like what is six melzar paradata or or your local rape crisis center you will

your local rape crisis center you will

your local rape crisis center you will probably never see a regular but you

probably never see a regular but you

probably never see a regular but you will witness behaviors and attitudes

will witness behaviors and attitudes

will witness behaviors and attitudes that promote a rape culture such as

that promote a rape culture such as

that promote a rape culture such as victim blaming joking or not taking

victim blaming joking or not taking

victim blaming joking or not taking allegation seriously we must maintain

allegation seriously we must maintain

allegation seriously we must maintain situational awareness of our actions and

situational awareness of our actions and

situational awareness of our actions and be aware of our language those words

be aware of our language those words

be aware of our language those words have immense power they can easily make

have immense power they can easily make

have immense power they can easily make a person feel less than human this is

a person feel less than human this is

a person feel less than human this is our society we dictate what is right and

our society we dictate what is right and

our society we dictate what is right and what is wrong it is our responsibility

what is wrong it is our responsibility

what is wrong it is our responsibility to speak out against these action to

to speak out against these action to

to speak out against these action to take away the power from those who wish

take away the power from those who wish

take away the power from those who wish to do harm to others this isn’t about

to do harm to others this isn’t about

to do harm to others this isn’t about men’s rights

men’s rights

men’s rights this isn’t about women’s rights this is

this isn’t about women’s rights this is

this isn’t about women’s rights this is about the rights of everyone to not have

about the rights of everyone to not have

about the rights of everyone to not have a little fear a sexual harassment

a little fear a sexual harassment

a little fear a sexual harassment so my story’s anomaly it has a happy

so my story’s anomaly it has a happy

so my story’s anomaly it has a happy ending

ending

ending it sounds cliched but if I can get one

it sounds cliched but if I can get one

it sounds cliched but if I can get one person in this room a sliver of home and

person in this room a sliver of home and

person in this room a sliver of home and intern courage then I’ve done my job to

intern courage then I’ve done my job to

intern courage then I’ve done my job to set them on the path from victim to

set them on the path from victim to

set them on the path from victim to survivor hope for a better tomorrow hope

survivor hope for a better tomorrow hope

survivor hope for a better tomorrow hope for those with experience my pain to

for those with experience my pain to

for those with experience my pain to find their own inner stream Oh Brad 106

”

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