On February 4, 2022, I was sexually assaulted at a fraternity on Indiana University’s campus. The aftermath left me feeling utterly powerless, with my strength and agency stripped away.

While at home, I discovered a lot of healing through translating my feelings into paintings. My very first painting, which is displayed on the left, reminded me that even though a large piece was taken away from me, I had the autonomy to decide how I wanted to seek justice.

This process began with specialized therapy that aided me in dealing with the often traumatizing encounters with local law enforcement and the student conduct office at IU. I felt unseen and written off as there was no urgency nor sensitivity when it came to investigating my case. I had to take a lot of time off of school, as he was still on campus, was told to reroute myself to avoid him, and had the resulting PTSD hinder my social experiences with many of my peers distancing themselves as I was assumably viewed as “broken” or “sensitive.”

In this time, I also decided to educate myself on the commonality of sexual assault and all of its forms. While I could list many devastating statistics on this topic, here are a few that hit hard for most people:

As reported by the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN), 97.5% of sexual assault perpetrators will walk free, only 20% of female college-age victims report to law enforcement, and finally, that every 68 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.

I have been very verbal on social platforms about my experience, and as a result of this, I saw these statistics become very personal. In most of my conversations about my own assault, someone comes forward with their own experiences. Few who haven’t told anyone at all.

This, alongside many other factors, fueled my passion to help survivors like myself. So, I painted my feelings a few more times, sourced the production of prints and phone cases, built a website, and finally launched IAMHER Media in September of 2022.

Since then, I have been able to spark conversations about the topic in person, in groups, online, and with survivors too. I am not just selling prints and accessories with my art on it, but I am using my creative skills and own story to reach those who have also been affected by sexual assault.

IAMHER has also made me learn a lot about running a business, as I have been the artist, photographer, content creator, analyst, web designer, marketing manager, and more. This year, I plan to focus on growing IAMHER Media exponentially. I hope that by doing so, I will be able to create a community of people who are then able to spark the conversation in others.

My first painting, “HELL THE F*CK NO.”

Embracing the art of videography for over seven years, I've cultivated a love for creating montages. From monthly montages and yearly recaps to trip summaries and birthday tributes, I've created what I like to call, my video museum of memories. During my semester abroad in Spain, I ventured into the world of vlogging, capturing lifes little moments. My skills extend beyond mere editing; they encompass a deep sense of musicality, creativity, and proficiency in tools like Final Cut Pro and CapCut.

My 2023 Recap: