Book Review: I Have the Right To: A High School Survivor's Story of Sexual Assault, Justice, and Hope By Chessy Prout and Jenn Abelson

In 2014, Chessy Prout, a 15 year old freshman, was raped by an older classmate as part of a senior sexual conquest tradition at St. Paul's School - a private boarding school in Concord, New Hampshire. This is not an easy read because it details every aspect of Chessy's assault and the aftermath. However, this book is so important to bring awareness to the plight of many survivors of sexual assault and to begin to dismantle the rape culture found in all areas of society. Chessy's bravery in her fight for justice against not only her attacker but the culture of her prep school is amazing. Early in her account of her freshman year, we learn that the school encouraged students to use "hypotheticals" to report problems. Why? Schools are mandated to report any sexual assault and this was a way around mandated reporting. This is only one of the ways that the St. Paul's School did nothing to stop the sexual assault culture on their campus. When Chessy reported her assault to police, much of the St. Paul's School and its community turned it's back on Chessy and put their support behind her attacker. Chessy and her family suffered immensely yet never gave up their fight for justice and ultimately become advocates for the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her story, their story, is powerful.

I listened to this memoir as an audiobook narrated by Chessy which for me heightened the emotional intensity of her story. This is a Flume 2020 nominee and is also available through the Nashua Public Library and as an audiobook/ebook (Overdrive/Libby). Excerpts from the book are available from the publisher's website:

Audiobook: https://soundcloud.com/simonschuster/i-have-the-right-to-audiobook
EBook: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/I-Have-the-Right-To/Chessy-Prout/9781534414440