This was a difficult story to report. Some of these conversations stayed with me long after the interviews ended. I spoke with these bright, ambitious women who came to Silicon Valley to pursue their dreams. They described being sexually harassed, assaulted or raped—often by someone they knew and trusted, someone they considered a friend. What was especially painful to hear was what happened afterward. Some described being discouraged from going to the police. Others said they were told nobody would believe them. And someone was told that she was seeking attention and all was a lie. 🥲 Alongside the trauma came fears about losing friendships, careers and their place in a community they had hoped to belong to. When the person you’re accusing has money, influence and powerful connections, seeking accountability can feel like David taking on Goliath. Victims aren’t always women, although most of the accounts shared with me came from women. One woman’s point stayed with me: we need to confront the predatory mindset—the entitlement that allows someone to disregard another person’s boundaries. Whisper networks can help people warn and protect one another. But they cannot substitute for a system people can trust: somewhere to turn for support, a fair process for investigating allegations, and meaningful accountability when misconduct is established—even when those responsible are wealthy or powerful. To the women who shared their experiences with me: thank you. I know these are deeply personal and painful things to revisit. I appreciate your trust. No single article can capture the full weight or complexity of someone’s experience. I take seriously the responsibility of telling these stories with care. My hope is that bringing them into the light helps more people find support—and helps create a culture where pursuing your dreams doesn’t mean staying silent about harm. If you ever unfortunately get into the situation of experiencing rape or sexual assault, please seek medical care and professional support, and consider reporting to the police when you feel safe and ready. You do not have to face this alone. What happened was not your fault, and you deserve care, support and to be heard. I was deeply moved by the strength of the women I spoke with and their determination not to let what happened define their lives. They still have dreams to pursue, companies to build and so much ahead of them. They deserve every opportunity to shape that future. 🌷 Read my latest article for @nypost and @californiapost (link in thread) 👇