AR: One of the most difficult things about sexual abuse in our society is the silence that surrounds it. Why have you decided to be so outspoken about the subject?
CM: Because -- and I realize how ineloquent and rage-filled this might sound -- that silence pisses me off. For so many years I lived feeling like I was a lesser human being for what I went through, and I endured a lot of shame from people who found what I'd experienced so tough to acknowledge that it was easier for them to shun me, write me off, or blame me for what I went through, which sent me further into a downward spiral. Quite frankly, it's bullshit. I don't mean to sound crass or put too fine a point on it, but when there's a murder, the victim is dead. When there's rape, sexual abuse or sexual assault, more often than not the victim is there to stare you in the face when all is said and done. For people who can't comprehend surviving something like that, it puts them in a vulnerable position... And when they're not connected to that feeling, their instinct is to lash out at the victim to put themselves back in a position of power. But here's the dirty secret nobody seems to want to talk about: being a survivor is powerful. Coming through it and living to tell the tale? That's strength.

And the more survivors understand that, the less shame they'll feel, the more they'll work to spread that word. And the more we talk about this and shine a light on it, the better chance we have of eradicating it.

AR: Other than raising money for the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, what do you hope to accomplish with your month-long blogging contest?
CM: Open discussion and sharing. When we first launched the initiative I was really hyper sensitive about making sure people knew that they didn't have to be all serious and negative in their posts, but to my surprise, a lot of people are using this as an opportunity to share things like how they were almost date raped, how they learned about and discovered their sexuality (which can be a harrowing journey in of itself!), how they dealt with HPV... The list is endless. And the best part is, people are talking. I've been reading through the comments on the posts and a lot of people are chiming in on how it happened to them too, or how they never thought they'd admit it in a public space... And yet, they are. The response so far has been really overwhelmingly wonderful.

AR: Some of the bloggers who have signed up for the blogging drive self-identify as part of the sex positive movement. What do you think is the relationship between a sex positive outlook and an awareness of the issues around sexual abuse? Is there one?
CM: Absolutely, and I think it's an important one. Obviously I can't speak for all survivors, but from my experience and the experiences I've heard from others, a lot of survivors go through a period where they feel like damaged goods and believe that they can't ever have a healthy sex life again. Sometimes, it's almost as if they feel being raped or assaulted has made them unworthy of having a healthy sex life. I think the sex positive faction of the web does an incredible service to these people by showing them that sex can be a fun, wonderful and fabulous form of self-expression, growth and sharing with someone who's worthy -- that there's an antithesis to the kind of dark side of sexuality that comes out in rape and assault. Especially for those who have had to deal with this kind of abuse from a young age. If you've grown up with it as your norm, how else will you know that there's a positive side to sex without someone talking about it?

If you're a blogger who would like to participate in Carly's fund raising drive for the Rape, Incest and Abuse National Network, you have until April 15th to sign up. All the details - including info about the prizes awarded to the bloggers who raise the most cash - are here.