Editor’s note: This story includes descriptions of sexual abuse and violence. A list of sexual assault reporting options and on-campus resources can be found on the Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s and Holy Cross websites. Pulling pigtails and name-callingare the early warning signs, yet we tell our little girls that they are displays of affection. That a little boy’s teasing is because he has a crush on you. This behavior goes unchecked, sending the message that disrespect is tolerated so long as you are a guy. When our little boys turn into young men, they remember how their actions were never corrected. They take advantage of this. Touch a girl. Kiss a girl. Do what you want when you want. This is a man’s world, right? We normalize a woman’s risk. The risk of being slut-shamed The risk of being harassed Of being raped. Killed. But remember it is never the guy’s responsibility. They are not taught to take responsibility. They’ll blame it on her clothes, or her attitude, or how drunk she was. Those little boys were never told to stop pulling that pigtail or saying that nickname. They were never taught to respect girls. And so that little boy, the “great kid” that all the neighborhood moms love, grows up to be a woman’s worst nightmare. He grows up with complete disregard for a woman’s well-being. He grows up and he strips us Of our dignity Self-love Innocence Virginity Respect Confidence He leaves us to pick up the pieces of our lives he so willing shattered. No remorse, no penitence. Because he did nothing wrong, remember? There are no consequences for his actions. The cycle continues. When will enough be enough? How did we get to 97%?
Carolina Bolivar
first-year
March 19
