Why I Decided to Go Fully Public with My Dehumanizing Experience

When I first embarked on the journey to seek justice for the horrific and dehumanizing experiences I endured, I wanted nothing more than to protect my identity. After the trauma inflicted by my assailants and the dismissive treatment by the Lakeland Police Department, I felt raw, vulnerable, and exposed. Filing my civil cases anonymously as Jane Doe seemed like a way to shield myself from further harm. However, the court denied my request, insisting that my identity could not remain protected.

At the time, this decision felt like another violation—a denial of my right to privacy and dignity. I then requested to have the records sealed, arguing that the public nature of the case was harming me professionally. Again, I was told no. The justification? The public had a right to know.

This response left me confused and frustrated. Countless cases are filed anonymously as Jane Doe, protecting the identities of survivors and those in vulnerable positions. Why was my case any different? Why was I not afforded the same protections? To this day, I have no clear answers.

Faced with these rejections, I realized something important. If the public had a right to know, then I had a right to tell my truth—fully and without apology. I decided to go public, not because I wanted to, but because I needed to reclaim my power, my voice, and my narrative. Silence would have been easier in the short term, but it would have cost me my sense of agency and the chance to advocate for change.

Throughout this journey, I also faced resistance from those I once considered part of my inner circle. Some told me not to pursue justice, urging me to stay silent because naming the police department and other officials might bring embarrassment or backlash. This forced me to ask myself: is that really the kind of inner circle I want to have? Is their embarrassment more important than my truth? I came to realize that I have nothing to be ashamed of because none of this was my fault. As a result, my inner circle got smaller—but it also became stronger, filled with people who truly support my journey.

Going public was a deliberate and deeply personal decision. It was not without fear or consequence, but it has allowed me to stand in my truth unapologetically. More importantly, it has transformed me into an advocate. My story is not just about me; it’s about the countless others who have been silenced, shamed, or ignored. It’s about being a voice for those who feel powerless, a listener for those who need to be heard, and a vehicle for change in systems that perpetuate injustice.

To anyone who has experienced something similar: You do not have to suffer in silence. You have the right to speak, to seek justice, and to demand better from the systems meant to protect and serve you. Let’s stand together and ensure that this cycle of silence and injustice ends—because it stops with me.