Dear girls and ladies,
You are beautiful just the way you are. Don’t change yourself for anyone’s opinion, you look beautiful even in a night suit and in a gown. There are times when some tries to force their feelings on you, don’t hide those instances. I am going, to be honest, and write about what hurts the most.
Writing about this isn’t easy and it never will be. Going down dark alleys and revisiting old memories is difficult; sometimes I wish I could stop writing and forget, but I have to let it go. Even thinking about those moments gives me goosebumps, I hope I do justice to this letter.
I'd like to ask you a few questions, have you ever experienced sexual harassment? Was the abuser a friend, a relative, or just a random stranger? Have you told anyone else about it? Sexual harassment is just a word until it happens to you or your close ones. I don't want to reopen any old wounds but not treating them is bad, therefore let's apply ointment to the wounds that have gone untreated for way too long today. I have a confession to make: I was sexually harassed a few months ago and it was the worst experience of my life.
It happened so quickly that I couldn’t even comprehend what was happening, by the time I got into my senses, the damage was done. I recall being unable to freely touch my body for several days, and frequently becoming perplexed as to how someone had touched me without my consent. Whenever I took a bath, I would scrub my hands until they were red, as if the touch could be removed and the memories associated with it would wash away. I was disgusted by my body, I felt dirty and couldn’t bear to look in the mirror because I would see a cowardly girl who couldn’t even protect herself, a girl who talks about rights but has no control, a girl who is all talk and nothing more. I was haunted by the same pictures in my mind, it was as if I was back in the spot where I could feel each and every touch but could not move my limbs and I felt like giving up!
I apologize for bringing up my baggage here, but I felt it was the perfect moment; we were brainstorming blog topics, and my friend recommended it. My thoughts immediately turned to the preceding idea and I decided to express myself, to confront the truth. I hope this letter gives you the confidence to speak up.
Following this, I discussed sexual harassment with my friends and family under the pretense of a project and discovered that many individuals had experienced it but did not disclose it. I was startled to learn about this; I had always taken pleasure in knowing my loved ones, but that day I discovered I didn't know much. The second question I posed to them was, “How come you never told the rest of the world about it? Why wasn’t the guilty punished?” A handful of answers were: Were you drunk? What were you wearing? Aren’t you exaggerating? Why should I believe you? Did you shout? Do you have any proof? Why speak after so many years? I was upset at their answer though I knew in my heart that society has conditioned victims to be silent. I thought about it a lot and finally realized that I didn’t speak because I was scared to bring out a scarred, meek girl, I was scared to take off the mask of the bubbly girl.
We are taught to respect elders and obey them as they know better, we are taught that guests occupy the place of god. What should one do when the so-called elders, guests turn out to be vicious monsters who would love nothing more than preying on innocent beings? There are numerous untold horrible stories all around the world; I hope we can have the guts to speak about them and accept them.
I have a small request to make, please come ahead and talk about the issue, you never know what magic your words can do. I was upset after the experience and even allowed the thought of self-hurt to linger for a while but a notification changed my life, I had subscribed to affirmations, and reading about one experience gave me the courage to live my life with pride, it gave me the courage to not blame myself, and I can’t be more grateful for the notification.
Please come forward and speak up; you have the opportunity to save the life of an innocent person. Some of us have been through the horror, and none of us want it to happen to anybody else. If you can't stand out for yourself, speak up for future women who will be treated the same way. Let us break the shackles of silence and speak our hearts out! The sun will shine brighter than ever before, and you will be fine, you will heal and you will move on.
Written by: Anonymous
Image credits: Anshika
Research credits: Anonymous
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