I Was Sexually Assaulted by a Friend
Why I’m talking about it over six years later
(Trigger warning: sexual assault)
Back in 2014, I was sexually assaulted by someone I considered a close friend. I wrote this detailed account of the experience for my blog in 2016, but never had the courage to publish it. It felt scary to be so vulnerable in a public setting about something so personal to me. I was afraid that people would tell me I was overreacting and my experience wasn’t “that” traumatic. I didn’t want to have to explain my choices and fend off victim blamers.
Talking about these experiences is critical. For me, this is the best way I can help people understand the issues of consent and trauma. Even though my sexual assault story didn’t involve threats to my life, date rape drugs, or penetration, it still was an experience that shaped me. It’s something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.
It’s been five years since I wrote this piece, and I’m finally ready to share it.
Here’s What Happened
It’s been over six years since I was sexually assaulted by my good friend, Bradley. It was a night like a lot of nights that had happened before. I went with a group of friends from college to a football game and returned to my house afterwards to hang out. We…
