The Time Machine: Sharing My Story and Honoring "Little Shannon"
- Shannon Nicole
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
I have the distinct privilege of serving on the MOCSA (Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault) Speaker’s Bureau. As a sexual assault survivor, it is incredibly important to me to advocate for others, give back to this space, and serve our community.
Recently, I had the opportunity to share my story with the MOCSA Board of Directors.
Even after so many years, it still catches me off guard how emotional I can get at times. Saying the words out loud and going back to that point in my life is like stepping into a time machine. I can immediately picture the space, smell the smells, and hear the sounds. It is all permanently etched in my brain.
A Fascinating Question: What Happens When a Child Survivor Faces the Police
After I finished speaking, I opened up the floor for a Q&A session. One question in particular fascinated me. Someone asked: "Talk to us about your interaction with the police during that time and what their process was like."
What a great question.
I shared with the board that I was actually just chatting with my mom about this recently. Because I was so young when it happened, there are still things I am curious about. My mom shared a detail that is still crazy to me today: when the police were questioning me in our family home, they took me into a separate room, away from my parents.
Times have certainly changed since then.
The Narratives We Build
I distinctly recall the officers video-recording me telling my story multiple times. Looking back, there are two distinct narratives I tell myself about why they did that:
They may have wanted it on camera just in case I became too scared to testify later on.
They wanted to review the tape to get ahead of how the opposing counsel might cross-examine me.
Who really knows? The legal process for a child survivor is a complex maze.
Little Shannon Was a Rockstar: A Sexual Assault Survivor's Strength
More than anything, looking back on that chapter makes me marvel at my younger self. She was navigating an overwhelming adult world under the brightest of spotlights, yet she stood her ground.
Little Shannon was an absolute rockstar!
And if you're reading this carrying a story you haven't yet spoken out loud, so are you!
With love and resilience,
Shannon Nicole
Shannon Nicole is an author, speaker, and advocate. To read more of her work, visit her website or check out her books, 'The Long Goodbye' and 'Silent No More'.
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