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Protesters demand end to sexual assault as part of #MeToo movement

PITTSBURGH — Protesters packed the streets Tuesday night, demanding an end to sex assault.

University of Pittsburgh students marched out of the Union Hall with a strong message.

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For many, it's ringing even stronger after a Pittsburgh city councilwoman is telling her story of sex assault for the first time.

"It made me feel not as alone," Pittsburgh Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak said. "I have to say there were a lot of tears."

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She told Channel 11 she has experienced a dozen sexual assaults and instances of harassment in her lifetime, starting at the age of 9 or 10.

"A group of boys surrounded me and groped me and hurt me," Rudiak said. "I didn't know what to do. I was frozen in terror."

She's sharing her story for the first time as part of the #MeToo movement, which started more than 10 years ago, but was brought back to light after movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was accused of sexually assaulting women.

"I think women have had enough," Rudiak said. "This matter is private. It's embarrassing. It can feel shameful and that's why we don't talk about it in society."

She said her decision to post wasn't easy.

"I was hoping that if there was one woman out there that feels powerless or alone that this post could help her," Rudiak said.

Students on Pitt's campus also marched Tuesday night to make others aware of sexual assaults.

Megan Heintz, president of the campus women's organization, is glad Rudiak is speaking out.

"It's unfortunate someone would have to share their personal life with the public and sad do that, to say it happens," Heintz said. "I think there's a sense of liberation and feeling free that people are getting from being able to talk about secrets out loud."

Rudiak says the city is also starting a new study next year to look at where sexual assaults are happening in the city and developing a plan to help stop them.

Friends, I was just interviewed by CBS This Morning and will be on national news tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. Many folks who...

Posted by Natalia Rudiak on Monday, October 16, 2017

Rudiak decided now was the time to talk about the attacks after actress Alyssa Milano started the #MeToo movement, inspired by allegations of the sexual harassment allegations against Weinstein.

Rudiak says it’s unfortunate that so many women have been suffering in silence for so long, but she is hopeful the honest and open discussions this movement is fostering will be a positive moving forward.

"We are ashamed to talk about it," she said. "At a young age, we're conditioned not to talk about it. I think there's a sense of liberation and feeling free that people are getting from actually being able to talk about these secrets out loud."