As I do not want to physically approach the media, I still want to address you and
give you thanks. You, the media, have been wonderful in how you have spoken
about the subject. How you have reached out to members of organizations such as
S.N.A.P. (Dan Frondorf) and sat in the realization that these things continue in
society. You have addressed Prosecutor Deters with respect and have not
bombarded him with questions about me or my family. But most of all, you have
been considerate of me and my family by not reaching out and causing further
chaos in a time of unbelievable stress. For these reasons I thank you and request
that you deliver the following message.
I approach you with my hands out to relay a message to others that may want to
come forward and are struggling. To others that may be engulfed with the
overbearing weight of shame, guilt, anger, disgust, and fear, I want to tell you that
you are NOT alone. Know that what happened was NOT your fault. Please know
that it is ok for those around you to feel a righteous anger. Know that family will,
and does, love you just the same. Know that you have a chance, an anonymous
chance, to stand up and save others by your testimony. And in all this, you are
loved and worthy.
I understand all of those feelings. It hurts; a lot. I have come to the realization that
approaching my fears and speaking out about the disgusting events that have
transpired, can provide others with a chance not to feel that same pain. Speaking
up provides others the chance not to cry themselves to sleep. Speaking up provides
others the chance not to look in the mirror and wonder if they will be alright.
Speaking up provides others the chance to live in a way that I, or you, did NOT get
to. Speaking up prevents someone else from falling victim of a “chaperoned trip”.
Speaking up solidifies the chance that by the hands of Geoff Drew this will NEVER
happen to someone again. I encourage you to do one of the hardest things possible
and SPEAK OUT. Trust in knowing God has not abandoned you. This was not an act
of a loving God. This was an act of an unloving man. And for those that might think
“well, Drew faces a lot of charges that carry a lot of jail time,” please note that there
is strength in numbers. This case becomes stronger when more people come
forward. I am here to support you. I know I am not alone. It is time to heal. It is
time to save others. Coming forward was not easy, but I don’t regret it. In doing so
it has helped to heal and free myself from this past. You can remain anonymous.
Please don’t allow this story to fade, there are others out there.
Healing