She Was Asking For It

You should have seen the way she was looking at me she was asking for it with her big smile and the way she flipped her hair, she looked at me and smiled so, obviously, she was asking for it. This is the type of language I have heard from men who have tried to justify their actions.

As though that would change our reactions to how they treat women during interactions.

You know I can’t walk out at night without a chaperone.

And when I am at a party I cannot leave my drink alone.

I mean my anxiety has become full-blown.

In 2012 1.5 million women in Australia had experienced sexual assault.

And with this great number how can you say that it was probably her fault.

You should know that that’s her body not your it’s not for you to look at or to pry.

Again, it's hers, not yours so why do I need to clarify?

What kind of messed up world do we live in where a woman speaking her truth has become sin?

She asked for you to stop as you groped her, but you were not listening!

The very thought of this in my mind is honestly nothing but sickening.

We sit quietly and watch these men become the leaders of our countries and the judges in our courts. Who because of our ignorance, have still not been caught.

And yet despite the numerous reports, people refuse to connect the dots.

You mean to tell me that these women were asking for it as they lay unconscious as their offender whispered that it would be their little secret.

When will people stop and listen to the cries of these women, they are everywhere and whether you like it or not they do not exist.

They are in the bathrooms of a bar, they are in the same streets we walk every day they are even in the offices we work.

In places which we least expect them to be are where these predators lurk.

Since I was young I always dreamt of what it would be like to be grown

And now in 2018, I realized what it means to be a woman.

It means being safe should be my main concern.

It means if a man puts his hands on you he should be pardoned because, with the way you were dressed clearly he had no option.

And no matter what you say they will only listen to his version

Because your woman and you do not know what you’re talking about not even a fraction.

I have heard the stories of women who gave their confessions, and no one believed them.

Because who are they to try and tarnish the names of these men

So, tell me when just when will a woman’s voice will be heard again.

But It’s the strength and fortitude of women like Nadia Murad who make me believe that because of the horrors that have occurred we don’t all have to grieve.

There is truly is a chance for us to make some good after all the negative.

There is hope for us victim or not we could all write a new narrative.

One where a girl wearing a skirt would not be reason enough for her to be hurt.

One where a girl can sit at night on public transport with comfort.

One where a girl walking home alone would not be a hazard.

A world where when it comes to things like these, we have a higher standard.

A world where the idea of a man putting his hands on a woman would be absurd.

When people ask us why we fight there are many answers that are in the right.

We fight for the women who lost their lives in the arms of these monsters.

We fight for the women who were forced to become young mothers.

We fight for the woman who have been silenced and put into corners.

These are the people we fight for whether she’s Muslim, Christian, Sikh or any other religion.

Whether she’s Black, White, Mexican or Asian or another ethnicity, we will use our words and story’s as ammunition.

For we know that there is a war to be won and We will no longer run

So, when we speak of the monsters still standing there will be none,

And for the women who are afraid to speak his name, just know you’re not alone.