In 2015, a young woman was sexually assaulted behind a dumpster on the Stanford University campus. The case made national headlines when the perpetrator, Brock Turner, was sentenced to only six months in jail, sparking outrage and protests. However, what many people may not know is that the survivor of the assault, known as Emily Doe at the time, went on to become an advocate for sexual assault survivors and wrote a powerful memoir called “Know My Name” under her real name, Chanel Miller.
Miller’s journey towards healing and justice was a long and difficult one. In the immediate aftermath of the assault, she struggled with depression and anxiety as well as feelings of shame and guilt. However, with the help of therapy and support from loved ones, she began to reclaim her sense of self-worth and speak out about her experience.
One of Miller’s most impactful actions was delivering a victim impact statement at Turner’s sentencing hearing. In this statement, which later went viral online, she detailed the emotional toll that the assault had taken on her life and criticized the lenient sentence that Turner had received. Miller’s words struck a chord with many people who had experienced sexual assault themselves or knew someone who had.
In addition to speaking out about her own experience, Miller has also become an advocate for survivors more broadly. She has worked with organizations such as Know Your IX and RAINN to raise awareness about sexual violence on college campuses and push for policy changes that better protect survivors’ rights.
Through it all, Miller has remained committed to telling her story in her own words. “Know My Name” is a powerful memoir that chronicles not just Miller’s experience of sexual assault but also her journey towards healing and reclaiming her identity. The book has been widely praised for its honesty and vulnerability as well as its nuanced exploration of issues such as consent and victim blaming.
Overall, Chanel Miller’s story is one of resilience in the face of adversity. By speaking out about her experience and advocating for change, she has helped to shift the conversation around sexual assault and empower survivors to share their own stories. Miller’s journey is a reminder that healing is possible even in the wake of trauma and that survivors deserve to be heard and believed.