Rae’s Story

Raeshanda, who goes by Rae, was just 16 years old when she met Chris. They attended school together, started dating, and what began as a teenage relationship eventually became something Rae never imagined she would experience.

Chris already had a child, and Rae admits that being in a relationship with someone who was also navigating a relationship with the mother of his child brought insecurities and tension she wasn’t prepared for.

Eventually, an argument between Rae and Chris became physical when Chris put his hands on her. He was arrested, and while he was in jail, Rae began healing, putting herself back together, and finding the strength to end their relationship.

But ending the relationship didn’t immediately end the danger.

According to Rae, Chris later sent the mother of his child whom Rae has chosen not to name to seriously harm her.

Thankfully, Rae survived.

Today, she has graduated from high school and is attending college. She chose to share her story because she wants other teen girls to learn from what she experienced.

Her message is simple: pay attention to the relationships surrounding the person you’re dating. If they have a child with someone else, understand that there may be an ongoing connection between them because they share a child. Don’t allow yourself to be pulled into jealousy, competition, arguments, or situations where someone is intentionally playing two girls against each other.

Most importantly, Rae wants girls to recognize that violence is never a normal part of a relationship.

You don’t have to compete for someone’s love.
You don’t have to prove you’re the better girl.
And you don’t have to stay when someone hurts you.

Rae was 16 when her story began.

Thankfully, that’s not where her story ended. 💜