LEXINGTON, Ky. (FOX 56) — Amelia Zachry is a survivor.

“I was sexually assaulted when I was 19 years old. I went out with friends, took a drink from a stranger, and then ended up finding myself in a situation that I didn’t understand,” said Zachry.

She recently put pen to paper, writing a book to help her process her past and focus on the future.

“I found healing in processing my trauma on the pages and processing it for the readers,” said Zachry.

Zachry’s healing journey led her to Ampersand, a resource center that provides help to sexual violence survivors.

“When they come to us, they’re usually at their most vulnerable time in their life and what we give is just being able to have someone that listens. They can come in and not feel like they’re being pushed off or we’re placing judgment on them, they feel like they can be themselves and get what they need and it’s free of charge,” said Latisha Jackson, Ampersand Executive Director.

Ampersand and Amelia teamed up with several others during the month of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, to take part in a documentary produced by the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs.

The organization, which is made up of rape crisis centers in 15 regions across Kentucky, hopes the film will help those watching come forward and ask for help if needed.

“Believe Me – Help and Hope for Sexual Assault Survivors” will air on KET on April 25, April 26, and April 30.

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, over half of women and nearly one in three men in the U.S. have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime. In Kentucky, more than 39% of women and 18% of men have experienced physical sexual violence in their lifetime.

According to data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, almost half of those raped in Kentucky had their first victimization when they were under the age of 18.

For more information on resources available for those experiencing sexual violence visit www.kasap.org  or www.ampersandky.org.

The video above is a 30-second promotional video for “Believe Me”.