Law and Order: SVU. That is truly where my journey as a survivor began.
I started to watch the show several years back when season 11 aired. I always felt some kind of draw to it… to Olivia Benson. I didn’t know why at the time.
I joined the twitter SVU fandom and met some great people. They weren’t just fans but they were also survivors.
In 2013 I realized why I was drawn to SVU and Olivia Benson. I had been raped a few years before but I had blocked it out.
Once I remembered there was no going back. No matter how hard I wanted to.
I truly believed for the longest time that I had to go to NYC and meet Mariska Hargitay (Olivia Benson) to heal. But, I learned that I could heal right where I was at with the support of friends.
A few years back I contacted a local DV/SA center to help tell my story. I did a radio interview and it was so empowering. Later on, I was able to connect with an advocate there. And from that point on.. I realized Olivia Benson might be a TV character and that I may never interact with Mariska Hargitay but people like Olivia Benson DO exist! I know this for a fact because “she” has been there for me for the last few years and I can’t tell you how much I’ve grown. Yes, the progress belongs to me… but without that extra support… I would not be where I am today!
Olivia Benson became even more real to me the moment I met K.
“Healing begins when someone bears witness. I see you. I believe you.”
…and it’s made all the difference in the world… my world.
Becoming Katie Butterfly 