“I can’t mentally function without fear if the men come here. Please help us. I am scared.”

Editor’s Note:

In 2020, California passed SB 132, a bill that required inmates to be housed in correctional facilities based on their self-proclaimed “gender identity.” The results have already been disastrous for women, with over 255 men requesting transfers to women’s prisons.

Now, states like Maine are considering implementing similar policies.

The following is a letter WoLF received from a woman currently incarcerated in a California women’s prison, edited slightly for clarity and to protect her identity.

This year, I’ll have been incarcerated for 29 years. For a crime spree that began with the brutal rape of an 18-year-old girl. This young woman endured this rape for almost four hours. As a result of the trauma, she was left with physical injuries to her insides so severe she can never have children. She was then forced by her rapists to come with them as she was taken on this nightmare.

Why am I explaining this? I was that girl. Who was forced into the car. Forced to go with them as they kidnapped other people. And the victim became the suspect.

I turned myself in and refused to let my abusers win the victory of violating me any further. I did not tell anyone what I had experienced until several years later. After numerous suicide attempts, I was sentenced to seven to life for my “participation” in these mens’ crimes. I am now 47. And scared. The animals that attacked me are allowed to walk around free of pain, hurt, and anger. No nightmares, no fear.

I, however, am not. I still have nightmares. I will not be a victim anymore. I have endured sexual abuse as young as 4-8, and with the rape, as well as numerous male staff (Correctional Officers) being inappropriate.

Ever since [California’s] SB 132 has passed I have been living in constant fear. I can’t mentally function without fear if the men come here. Please help us. I am scared. Just because they feel like a woman doesn’t mean their penis doesn’t work."

Learn more about the issue of housing men in women’s prisons.

Letters From the Front is a new series from WoLF curating stories from women about how “gender identity” ideology has impacted them. We’ll share new letters, submitted anonymously, each week. Write in to share your own story!

WoLF does not necessarily endorse the content of Letters.

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