As I write this, I’ve been
sitting and staring at my blank screen trying to figure out where to begin. I
have experiences of my own. I know there are many, many other women who’ve also
endured sexual harassment and/or assault and are speaking and standing in their
truths. There are others who may prefer to be silent, but, it’s okay to speak
up. Your story can really help someone else.
When I first saw the Me Too movement throughout my newsfeed,
I had recently finished reading a story about a rape survivor. Her story was so
awful, graphic, and heartbreaking that after reading it, I couldn’t believe
someone could ever do something so heinous to another human being. It was a
reminder of the evil that is prevalent in this world and unfortunately, the
reality of the wickedness in others.
Truthfully, I don’t know many
women who haven’t been sexually harassed or assaulted at some point. According
to rainn.org:
Every 98 seconds an American is sexually
assaulted.
1 out of every 6 American women
has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime.
And young women are especially at
risk.
It’s heartbreaking, but it’s
reality. Everything from cat calls, touching or grabbing that has not been
consented, inappropriate sexual jokes, or the sexual abuse, force, or harm
against any woman, against anyone, is wrong.
And what’s tough is I really don’t think some guys know how awful things
can be on the other end of these situations. As a woman, I should be able to go
on a date, chill with a guy friend, or walk down the street without the fear or
dread of a guy being inappropriate, crossing my boundaries, or thinking me
saying, stop, no, I’m uncomfortable,
or you’re being inappropriate, is a
joking or laughing matter, or that my no
means yes, or because of how I was dressed, I asked for it. I really hope the Me Too movement changes things for the better, because no one should
ever have to be or feel victimized by anyone.