1 in 5 girls are victims of child sexual abuse.
93% of child sex crimes are committed by someone the victim and their family knows and trusts.
In 2016, the year of my rape trial, only 3 out of 10 rapes were reported. 
In Northeastern states of the US, more robberies are cleared than rapes (a perpetrator is found and charged, not necessarily convicted).
Less than 1% of rapists face felony convictions. 

What Happened:
From the ages of 9 to 12, I was orally and vaginally raped by my stepfather, Kenneth Gary Winston, as soon as I moved in. He told me I couldn't live there without "taking care of him," which of course meant to gratify his disgusting sexual desires. He told me about what he called an "agreement," and the very first thing I said was, "No. I won't do it." As a nine-year-old, I knew that that was wrong. I knew that it was illegal, too. Since I said no, I'd have to live with my father. As I'm writing this, I just realized that my mom has and always had full custody of me. He knew this. He knew that it wouldn't even be legally possible for me to live with my dad. He made me feel like I had a choice. He always wanted me to reassure this repulsive man that "I loved him," that he was "handsome." He even told me I was lucky because he's "attractive."
For years, I was forced to "take care of him." All the while reminding me that if anyone ever found out, I would be taken away from my family, my dad and my brothers would think I'm a disgusting slut, a sexual deviant. He said that I'd never see him or my mom again. He also made sure to tell me that if the cops ever questioned me to deny everything. He said that the cops will lie sometimes and might say that he confessed, but that I always deny. 
In November of my seventh-grade year, 2014, I told my mom the abuse I'd been enduring. Unbeknownst to me until now, my mom was also being raped and verbally and mentally abused by Kenny. We both believed we were the only one being hurt and were both enduring the pain to provide a better life for the other. My mom and I never had a lot of money, but Kenny was very financially stable. Neither of us knew the full extent of the abuse the other was facing. 
My only goal was to escape. I didn't even want to tell my mom, but I simply couldn't live like that anymore. As a middle-schooler, I was heavily contemplating suicide but only stuck around for my mom. Only in 2015 did the thought of taking him to criminal court become the path I wanted to pursue. 
After weeks of being out of school, waiting to testify in court, I was called upon the stand. I was up there for two days. 
He was facing 25 years to life.
He was found destroying a piece of paper meant for my mother that read "If you don't cooperate with the police I'll give you $15k."
He paid our neighbors to lie about the type of person my mother was.
He paid a child psychologist to explain why a child would lie about such things. (Said psychologist has abhorrent ratings from her clients).
He hired the best lawyer, the one who covered the only murder case in Delmar.
My mom had no money, we had a state-provided lawyer who was working on a multitude of other cases simultaneously. 
He was acquitted because he had money.

That is not justice.

I want to make it clear that since he was acquitted, it's impossible to take him back to criminal court, therefore it's impossible that he will get locked up for raping me. However, I am fighting for the right to spread his name, his face, and his crime across the country. He was able to flee from his crimes, but it will catch up to him.

The Point of this Campaign:
My goal is to sue. My goal is to earn the right to tell my story. My goal is to stop him from hurting other women and children. 

My lawyer needs a retainer of $10,000 for the lawsuit before I turn 19 on March 3. Any donations will be greatly appreciated. I love everyone who's simply read my story. If you can't donate, please at least share this campaign. 

Thank you for giving me your time.

News Links and Photos:
https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Delmar-man-charged-with-raping-a-child-works-6168267.php 

https://www.news10.com/news/50-year-old-delmar-man-acquitted-of-sexually-abusing-a-child/ 

https://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Two-rape-acquittals-in-Albany-in-one-day-7232972.php