Hi, Lauren. This is really difficult because I've mulled over this for a year on whether or not I should even message you back out of fear, but I'm willing to chat anonymously.

Hi, Lauren. I'm happy to talk to you about some things that have happened after I left

DRC. I know I'm doing the right thing by being honest and speaking up, but then there's times

where I just feel like, God, you need to put a sock in it because you're going to get yourself

in trouble. Hi, Lauren. I don't want anything in writing via email that can be used against me.

I'm frankly scared of retaliation from Eric and I'd rather have a phone call or meet with you.

I am so filled with anxiety. I'm filled with fear.

Sorry for the no contact. Can we check in tomorrow and maybe connect then?

I'm just overly anxious and stressed about it all.

He has money.

He has lawyers.

His power and money is intimidating to me, and I don't want to end up in a courtroom.

I'm honestly thinking that I'm no longer going to share my name. I honestly

don't want to be involved anymore. With everything that my family is going through right now,

I just don't want to be a part of it. I want to take my statements away about Eric.

This is a small window into what it's like to report on sexual misconduct.

These are words that multiple women said or texted to me, but those aren't their real voices.

I got their permission to share even the most basic sentences with you in ways that are

unidentifiable, because it's the best way I know to illustrate something that happens all the

time in every industry, not just addiction treatment. People work up the courage to contact a

reporter because they want accountability, closure, justice, but then they

consider all the very real downsides, and they disappear. I can't tell you how many times this

...