I Have the Right To

A High School Survivor's Story of Sexual Assault, Justice, and Hope

By: Chessy Prout, Jenn Abelson - contributor

Narrated by: Chessy Prout

Length: 11 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

A young survivor tells her searing, visceral story of sexual assault, justice, and healing in this gutwrenching memoir. 

The numbers are staggering: nearly one in five girls ages 14 to 17 have been the victim of a sexual assault or attempted sexual assault. This is the true story of one of those girls. 

In 2014, Chessy Prout was a freshman at St. Paul's School, a prestigious boarding school in New Hampshire, when a senior boy sexually assaulted her as part of a ritualized game of conquest. Chessy bravely reported her assault to the police and testified against her attacker in court. Then, in the face of unexpected backlash from her once-trusted school community, she shed her anonymity to help other survivors find their voice. 

This memoir is more than an account of a horrific event. It takes a magnifying glass to the institutions that turn a blind eye to such behavior and a society that blames victims rather than perpetrators. Chessy's story offers real, powerful solutions to upend rape culture as we know it today. Prepare to be inspired by this remarkable young woman and her story of survival, advocacy, and hope in the face of unspeakable trauma.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio. 

©2018 Chessy Prout (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

Magnificent

I'm glad that this book was written. Thank you for your bravery, Chessy. You're a rockstar!

I hate that this book had to be written but I'm glad it was. I hate that our criminal justice system and some of our schools pay very little regard to situations of sexual assault but I am glad that this book exposes the uncaring culture towards women that exists. It gives an intimate look at how these acts changes the lives of the survivors forever, something I had very little knowledge on. I experienced an emotional roller coaster from anger to shame to hope for a brighter tomorrow for our women and girls and it is my hope to play my part in that futute for them by aiding to educate that #Ihavearightto and so do you.

Best book I have read in 2018

Chessy Prout is so inspiring! I loved hearing her narration of the story. I think it is a must read for teenagers and parents. I couldn't stop listening to it - I took longer walks, listened while I got ready in the morning. Great book.

A powerful story everyone should hear

This is such a powerful story of hurt, healing, and hope. I was at once heartbroken for this young woman and awed by her strength. The very fact she read her own story speaks to the incredible woman she has become. You will be touched by it and you will be changed!

amazing book

This is an amazingly sad inspirational and empowering book a must read for everyone.
as a father of three daughters the story in this book is one of my greatest fears but I want then to read or hear these words and know they have the right to.

A Must Read for Teens

This book should be mandatory reading for all teens, and their parents. It was horrifying to hear what Chessy Prout went through. She is a courageous survivor of rape, at age 15, while attending a boarding school where sex rituals by senior boys were the norm. She bravely came forward and suffered through a trial and was ostracized by many of the students at her school. She is fighting for justice for high school and college victims of sexual predation.

Your strength & courage put him away

Thank you for writing this. These are the words that I think so many of us have, but don’t have a venue for saying them or don’t know what they are yet. So many of us don’t have a chance to get up and speak in court and say the things that you have been able to say, and with that you have been able to touch so many more lives than just your own. Forever grateful.

Thank you!

Thank you for being so strong and for sharing your story. What and inspiration to other survivors and a guide for all.

Courage

As an educator, it’s disheartening to know that the very people who devote their livelihood to educating and being a safe place for kids did the exact opposite for Chessy Prout. This is a real story about a young girl who had the courage to speak out against a long history of “tradition.”

Shocking story

I admire the author's bravery in telling us the details of the worst day of her life - the humiliation, pain, sadness . . . unbelievable that a young woman had to endure this . . . as well as the wicked response from other students and the schools lawyers.

However, this is a book review and I didn't find the book especially well written - raw and intense yes, but not a work of art. I contrast that with Lacy Crawford's book Notes of a Silencing - also a survivor of sexual assault at St Paul's School - Lacy has brilliantly written and masterfully narrated a heart wrenching masterpiece.

Amazing

that this young woman has been able to tell her story with such clarity honesty and compassion.