The universal refrain of congratulations for telling “our truths” doesn’t bring me much comfort. In some ways, it simply confirms that women are believed only when an investigative report is made public and the evidence is overwhelming. It’s a shame that the institutions we uphold as our protectors and advocates — government, political leaders, the media, victims’ and women’s rights organizations — still don’t believe us when a powerful man is involved.

It’s not “our truth.” It’s the truth.

I tried to share my own story in February but editors and attorneys at mainstream media organizations lacked the courage to print it. So, I self-published my essay with the hope that being the first victim to go public would blaze a trail for other women to do the same. I am so glad it did.

The Governor and his attorneys seek to portray the eleven of us who risked everything to speak out as waging some kind of twisted conspiracy against him. In reality, each of us made it safer for the next woman to come forward. Our support of one another is the reason we’re here.