TW: Sexual Assault
When you’re a young girl there are some things that they don’t tell you. Things that you acquire as you live and learn. Some of these things include looking in the back seat before you get in the car, locking the doors after getting in the car, not leaving your bedroom window open at night, and always telling someone where you are going or sharing your location. We pick these things up because of the atmosphere created that we live in. You get in your car without looking in the back, there’s someone in the back seat. You don’t lock the doors after you enter your car, someone comes in before you drive away. You don’t leave your bedroom window open at night, if you’re on the bottom floor, someone could come in. You don’t go anywhere without sharing a location or telling someone, you could get snatched. Something could go wrong at all times. Everywhere you go, we have to be on alert.
Honestly, it’s not fair. I should be allowed to leave my drink at a bar without getting drugged. I should be able to walk past a dark alley without crossing the street out of fear. I should be able to walk outside at night period. I shouldn’t be scared when someone is walking close to me at night. I shouldn’t feel like I should avoid going to the restroom alone. I shouldn’t have to watch what I wear. This is what is wrong with the world. When someone becomes the 97%, the day still goes by. It’s not seen as a pressing issue. Tell me, it’s not a pressing issue that 97% of women between 18-24 took a survey and said that they have been sexually harassed? It’s not pressing that we have to feel this way when going out alone or not, staying in, or doing ANYTHING? If you cannot see the problem, you are part of it.
“Not all men rape women”, “Not all men harass women”, “Not all men do things even though they were told NO”. Not all men do malicious things that make us feel uncomfortable but some do. Some do and that makes us not trust them. It sets a precedent. How can I trust a man when one raped me when I was 9? How can I trust a man when one is within 3 feet near me at night I am scared? How can I trust men when every single one of my friends, peers, educators, family members, siblings around me are telling me to be careful around them? Be careful around them. What else should we be careful around? Let’s see, wild animals, terrorists, poison, sharp items, anything that can hurt us. Keywords there: anything that can hurt us.
Why don’t we trust men? If you cannot see why you are why. There are a lot of people going around saying “boys will be boys”. Boys WILL be boys when it comes to playing in the mud, building a treehouse, breaking an arm, and playing a sport. This is NOT an excuse for their actions. How could you excuse such actions? Better question: How can you choose to be okay with such actions being a mother, father, educator, friend, peer, or person? If you can find a way to justify such actions or harassment, violence, or rape, let me know. Until then, we will educate the uneducated. We will continue to protect the 3% from this trauma. Lastly, we will make sure the 97% rises up from this and help prevent it.
Why? Not all men, but some.
National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline
800.656.HOPE (4673)
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Emergency Services
911