**My story includes sensitive topics such as verbal abuse and rape. If those topics are uncomfortable or harmful for you, please do not continue to read.**

After recent events, I have decided to come forward with my story. I have debated sharing my experience, but I want to protect other members in my community. 

In 2023, I met Jeudy Azzarelli at NAIC, and we became fast friends. Our friendship soon developed into a relationship that lasted about 7 months. In December of that year, I was informed that he had been cheating on me, which prompted the downfall into the end of our relationship.

We amicably went our separate ways before EUIC 2024 and decided to share our previously booked accommodations for the event. Looking back, I regret this decision, but felt it was necessary to avoid conflict. I intended to be friendly but made an effort to avoid him to keep things uncomplicated.

Saturday, April 6th, while at EUIC, the Pokémon crew and I went to Club Fabric. I was on the dance floor when someone grabbed me and informed me that Jeudy was making a scene by aggressively questioning others about my whereabouts and trying to find me. When he found me, he yelled that ‘I needed to tell him where I was’ and that it was ‘not okay that he didn’t know where I was’. I was trying to de-escalate the situation, and calmly told him that we were no longer together and that I didn't need to keep him informed. However, he became so aggressive that three community members stepped in and stayed by my side to make sure I was safe. Because we were sharing a hotel room, I knew I had to remain cordial. I did not want to upset him and risk more aggressive behavior or another outburst.

Sunday, April 7th, my friends attending EUIC and I ended the night at an arcade bar. Jeudy and his group of friends showed up, and I attempted to keep my distance; however, when he saw me sitting at a table alone, he came over. Another member of the community approached us, and I used it as an ‘out’ so I could avoid a conversation with Jeudy. During this interaction, I was entirely distracted and not paying attention to my drink on the table in front of me. I finished my drink at the table; this is the last thing I remember from that night. I do not know how I left the bar or got back to my hotel room.

The next thing I remember is waking up to him actively raping me. My clothes had been moved to expose my body, and I was frozen. I couldn’t move a single part of my body. As he continued, suddenly there was a knock on the door, and he immediately jumped off of me, and all I could do was curl into a ball and act as if I was sleeping, then everything went black again.

The next morning, I knew I had to leave the hotel. I was afraid that if I expressed this to him, he would become aggressive and prevent me from going. After expressing how I did not remember anything from the night before, and asking what happened, he left and proceeded to send me a voice memo saying, ‘I know that this hasn’t been the best of weeks and that a lot has happened, but thank you for being you’. After that point, we went our separate ways.  

Over text, I tried to get him to fill me in on the events of the evening. It became too traumatic, and I decided to block his number and his accounts on all social media. Because of this, messages from mutual friends started pouring in. I have received screenshots documenting him stating that ‘he should have recorded our conversation the morning after’ and him calling our interaction ‘blackout sex’. (I will not be posting these unless directed by people who have sent them, as I do not want them to feel uncomfortable or be exposed).

Until now, I have been silent in order to protect myself. I have done my best to avoid him. I feel as it is my responsibility to share this information to protect other women in this community. I am aware that this may hurt my chances of growing within the space, but this is a risk that I have made peace with. I am asking for privacy. For my safety, I do not wish to be named. I am incredibly grateful for the people who have been there for me. Thank you for supporting me, protecting me, and letting me cry. You all allow me to enjoy the passion that brings me so much joy.

I also want to say something to everyone in the community. It doesn’t matter what your gender, sexual orientation, or race is, the number of drinks you’ve had, or who you are as a person. You should always feel safe. We as a community need to do better. We as a community need to protect one another. We are all people who just want to enjoy the thing that brought us together - Pokemon, and we should feel safe doing that.

I love this community more than anything else in the world, and I want to continue to express my love to each and every one of you. We need to listen, believe, and support victims. We as a community need to change how accepting we are of people who continue to do horrible things. We as a community need to be what we are - a community.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.