Do you remember your first crush? The rush of excitement when your friend told you your crush was also interested in you? The dizzying blur of getting ready for the first gathering where you will hang out? And then the opportunity presents itself to be alone, together.  This was the experience of Hope, today’s guest, when she was just 15-years-old! And as soon as she and her crush were alone, the innocent fairytale ended. Hope, like too many young people their first foray into hooking up or relationships can be jarring and filled with immediate sexual expectations, was confused and scared. Grappling with the reality of coerced sex as well as cultural, family and religious messaging Hope felt hopeless.   Porn influence over sexual culture and lack of realistic sex education leave many young adults in situations way over their heads and out of their control. Hope is a resilient warrior who found her biggest ally was her big sister.  Thank God for the big sisters who can offer light.  Hope is sharing her story and how she came out on the other side, she is now the light to guide others who may have experienced the same thing.   RESOURCES National Sexual Assault Hotline FREE & CONFIDENTIAL   1.800.656.4673  or visit RAINN.ORG or Chat online at online.rainn.org National Domestic Dating Violence Hotlines 800.799.SAFE (7233) and Love Is Respect 866.331.9474 (A service of the National Domestic Violence Hotline)    TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome to Seven on Sundays Podcast 01:14 Hope's Courageous Journey  07:51 The Aftermath and Realizations 10:00 Seeking Help and Learning from Experience 12:57 Empowerment and Sharing the Story 16:56 Insights on Consent and Red Flags 23:59 Healing, Therapy, and Moving Forward 30:29 Addressing the Impact of Sexual Assault & Empowering Messages for Survivors 38:12 The Control of Porn Indoctrination 41:53 The Role of Family Support in Healing 47:35 The Importance of Education on Sexual Assault and Consent 49:58 Wrap-up & Our Final Thoughts