TEENAGE TRAUMA SURVIVORS STRUGGLE TO SUMMON THE BRAVERY TO SPEAK UP
By Nityaasini Sivagami
KUALA LUMPUR 14TH AUGUST : It was supposed to be a normal date night at the neighborhood mall with her boyfriend, but Ana (not her real name) soon found herself experiencing one of the most horrible nights of her life.(source The Star)
The 17-year-old, who resides in the Klang Valley, related her experience of her ex-boyfriend trying to hold her hand, grope, and kiss her each time they saw each other.
A few months ago, they connected with one another on a social media platform. He tried to touch her while they were on their date. The movie had barely begun when he began to touch me improperly. She told him to stop because she was feeling really uneasy as stated in The Star.
She believed she could trust her partner, but it was obvious he disregarded her requests.
” I could see that I was shaken as I continued to push his hands away. At the time, I had no idea what to do. I had feelings for him and I wish I could have left him. I couldn’t tell anyone about this because I was too embarrassed. I wished there was something that could protect me. I’m afraid that I will be judged by my parents,” she said (source The Star)
It is a violation of their personal space to touch someone without their permission and may be construed as sexual assault or harassment.
Everybody has the right to control their own body and to choose when and with whom to touch them.It’s crucial to get permission before touching someone and to accept their choice if they decline.
Teenagers have a voice and it is important for them to use it, to speak up for what they believe in. ‘No’ is an entire sentence itself. No means no, and when somebody says it you need to stop
About Author
