This is my story of sexual assault at festivals and how we should speak up.
I have been to many festivals before, i always go with a big group of boys which you’d think I would had been protected not this time. It was coming to the end of the night my favorite band was about to come on, I was letting loose, feeling the music, embracing the rain and having a permeant smile on my face, little did I know I was about to be sexually assaulted. I felt this presence come close behind I assumed he was another festival goer.. I could feel him coming closer, this is when my heart started to race, and then his dirty, grubby fingers slipped inside of me. I immediately pushed him away and stood there.. embarrassed, humiliated, why do boys think this is okay? no way did I give him consent to touch me. Later in the night I saw him.. arrested. I had immediate relief, although seeing him made me feel sick. This will forever be the boy who sexually assaulted me.
— Emma, age 19
Dear Emma – I wish I had a good answer for why people think it is ok to sexually assault others. It really is mind boggling, isn’t it? I want you to know that you have nothing to be embarrassed about. What he did to you is his shame and you did nothing to deserve it. I am really proud of you for sharing your story here and I hope it brought you some healing. Love, Alexis