Karen Monahan threatens to release more info about Keith Ellison,

[Charlotte Little]

127. When I was 14...

...I was raped by a family friend who also happened to be a school teacher on a military base and the school's football coach. It took me to age 21 to finally tell a therapist about it but only after visiting home and finding out that a young girl was staying with him (and his complicit wife) just as I had when I was a minor (my parents were going through a divorce and sent me to stay with the couple for days at a time over a two year period.) The therapist convinced me to call the police in my home town to report it.

Long story short, he had claimed eight more victims, one of them a boy he had coached, by the time I finally contacted the police. But they didn't just take my word for it. I had to fly home on four separate occasions, spending $$$$ of money I didn't have, to talk to the DA and a panel of law enforcement - all MEN. I had to tell what happened to me over and over and over. It was utterly humiliating and awful.

But you know what? Without my willingness to do so, he'd have continued raping vulnerable teenagers with the help of his wife. So, it was damn well worth it and I don't blame those men who questioned me as if I were guilty one bit.

Coming forward to report sexual assault of any kind is never easy, comfortable, or enjoyable. And often, you don't have any control over the process. So, while I do think this woman has a right to be believed enough for a thorough investigation, I will not for one second defend her right to complete privacy. Ellison should demand she either provide a copy of that alleged video to his lawyers or else she is lying, since she has backed up her son's assertion that the video exists and the son watched it on her laptop. It should not be played to the public as it is none of our business to watch it. The lawyers can duke it out in court. End of story.

We women are not fragile dandelions. Accusing others of heinous crimes is serious and not about our feelings. Just as I had to do, put up or shut up. In my case, I was telling the truth and the truth prevailed.