After an assault,
I’m terrified to ever look decent in public again
because if I do,
I’ll attract more unwanted attention, right?
because that’s what everyone has said since I opened up about it
they have all said it’s my fault
because the jeans I wore that day were a little too ripped
because the way I leaned over to grab my pencil was so seductive
because the shoes I had on at that dance were just a little too slutty
because of the assault
I feel disgusting in my identity as a woman.
Molli
This poem is exactly how society makes people who are survivors (specifically women) of assault feel. It is never your fault.