This must end!!!

I’ve realized that many women I’ve met have experienced SA.

The scariest part is that it often comes from people no one would ever suspect, which makes it even harder to speak up or be believed.

This is one thing I truly wish didn’t exist, especially when it involves a minor.

Back in SS1, I was about thirteen or fourteen...ish. Someone older started crossing boundaries with me in ways that didn’t feel right.  At first it was a harmless "I like you I want you to be my girlfriend" I was shocked and confused… and for a moment I tried to excuse it, telling myself maybe he just liked me. But deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.

I politely turned him down, thinking he would get the message and leave me alone. I was so wrong.

I would sit for hours listening to him talk about how he would make my life better, how he would take care of me… all the promises. But even at that age, I understood something important, if someone truly cares about you, they protect you, not pressure you, and I was hundred percent sure he knew I was still a minor in secondary school.

When trying to “convince” me didn’t work, he became more direct and kept overstepping my boundaries. The inappropriate touching and stuff. I was angry, but I kept quiet. I didn’t report him. I was trying to protect his reputation, and I also felt like maybe no one would believe me because he was seen as a good person who loved church.

It kept happening, and I became more irritated. I would confront him and speak harshly, insult him, thinking it would push him away. It didn’t. I started praying about it because I was scared. I couldn’t sleep well. I kept thinking, what if he tries to come into my room at night?

I remember being scolded  for always locking my door. I should have told my guidian, but I didn’t want to create problems in the house.

With time, what he called “love” turned into anger and resentment. We eventually had a serious conflict, we literally fought, this man was like six or seven years older than me and that was how people in the house found out. He's story was I disrespected him, I spoke to him anyhow and stuff. I was asked why I disrespected him. Even then, I still protected him. I didn’t say everything. I only said he asked me out and I refused.

They confronted him. He backed off. He even apologized.

Looking back, I still wonder where I got that courage from. Because the truth is, I was scared. I didn’t feel safe. But I held on. I trusted God deeply and believed I would be protected.

But I’ve also realized not everyone knows how to handle situations like this. Not everyone can stand their ground. I thought I was handling it well until things escalated, and he was much older than me that means he was stronger but I fought back and luckily I wasn't hurt.

The moment I finally involved my guardian, everything stopped. He knew things could go too far, and he never came near me again.

If you’re going through something like this, please speak up. Tell someone you trust. Don’t stay silent.

Silence doesn’t protect you, it protects the person hurting you.

Speak up. Don’t die in silence. 🤍

Pearlz write