It was in the 8th grade when I realized that the people I’ve known for years were not really my friends. I was sitting on the bus when this guy in my grade, George, touched me inappropriately. Then he did it again when I was walking out of the classroom. He ran up to me as I was leaving and slapped my bottom. That wasn’t the last time. When our teacher wasn’t at school, and we had no substitute we were sent into different classrooms. I was with Carla, and Karen along with George and Julio. Julio was on my left, Carla and Karen on my right and George was laying down in front of me. Julio was being disruptive and got kicked out of the class we were causing George to move over to my left side. As I pulled my phone out to check the time my friend Carla snatched it out of my hand and said “You’re not supposed to have your phone out Hanna!” as a joke. So when I leaned over to get my phone back George grabbed my breast and
I knew what sexual harassment was, and I knew it was an issue but I didn’t truly understand the effects it could have on millions of woman around the world. I had no idea that sexual harassment isn’t only referring to touching someone but also includes saying inappropriate, unwanted, sexual things. Then there's the victim shaming that adds on to the stress. Being harassed is a traumatic experience, and one that will follow you around forever.
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When I got off the bus that day not knowing what to do I called my brother. I was telling him what happened and I was saying you have to go beat this kid up he did this and this and I can’t take it anymore. He asked if I had told the teacher and I said no, he continued by saying I should tell someone at school. When I arrived at school the next Carla, and Karen were encouraging me to speak up. That day I told the teacher. That’s when things began to escalate very quickly. I was questioned by the police, I was scared, stressed, and most of all I regretted saying something. Little did I know, me speaking up was going to ruin my friendships with people I had been friends with for years.
FINDING THE STRENGTH TO SAY ENOUGH
These people that I had known for years, that I had been friends with for years were victiming shaming me. They were saying things like “It’s not that big a deal. I don’t know why you told.” “You just wanted a attention. You’re just over exaggerating.” “You need to start dressing more appropriately.” “Maybe you shouldn’t have been flirting with him.”
bottom multiple times. As I moved his hand away and told him to stop he kept doing it and doing it until I sat back down. I was uncomfortable but didn’t want to make a scene so I ignored it, until the next day when I was on the bus. I was sitting across from George when he reached over out of nowhere just to grab my breasts. After, he did this I was outraged, I was so tired of him doing this and making me feel uncomfortable so I stood up and started hitting him.