I Have the Right To

I Have the Right To is a memoir by Chessy Prout, who was sexually assaulted as a freshman at St. Paul's School, an elite prep school in New Hampshire. The book follows her experiences before, during, and after the assault, including her path through the criminal justice system. Prout partners with Boston Globe journalist Jenn Abelson to document the institutional failures and toxic culture that enabled abuse at the prestigious boarding school. The narrative tracks her transformation from a hopeful 15-year-old student to an outspoken advocate for survivors' rights and cultural change. At its core, this memoir examines power dynamics, privilege, and the cost of speaking truth in institutions built on reputation and tradition. The text serves as both a personal testimony and a call for reform in how schools and society handle sexual assault cases. [End note: Let me know if you would like me to modify any aspect]

Readers value this memoir's raw honesty in documenting sexual assault and its aftermath through a teenager's perspective. Many note its importance for high school students and parents in understanding consent, rape culture, and survivor advocacy. Readers praised: - Clear explanation of legal processes and school policies - Practical advice for assault survivors - Balance of heavy content with moments of hope - Inclusion of family members' perspectives - Resources and action items for readers Common criticisms: - Writing style can feel unpolished - Some sections drag with too much detail - Heavy focus on privileged background/private school setting Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (190+ ratings) As one reader noted: "This book is difficult but necessary reading. It provides a roadmap for other survivors while exposing how institutions often fail to protect students." Several reviewers mentioned using this book to start conversations with teenagers about consent and sexual violence prevention.

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🔹 Author Chessy Prout was just 15 years old when she was sexually assaulted at St. Paul's School, an elite prep school in New Hampshire, as part of a ritualized game called "Senior Salute." 🔹 Co-author Jenn Abelson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter who worked on The Boston Globe's Spotlight Team, known for exposing widespread sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. 🔹 The book's publication helped spark significant changes at St. Paul's School, leading to a state investigation and the appointment of an independent compliance overseer to monitor the school's handling of student safety issues. 🔹 After going public with her story, Chessy Prout founded the organization I Have The Right To, which supports survivors of sexual violence and works to promote consent education in schools. 🔹 The case gained national attention when Prout chose to shed her anonymity on NBC's Today Show in 2016, becoming one of the youngest public faces of the sexual assault survivors' movement before the #MeToo era.