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It shouldn’t have happened.
Tommy still remembered it like it was yesterday, the man’s hands on his waist, calling him baby.
It hadn’t gone any further…but he’d only been 10 when it happened. Picking up food from the local village for the rest of his family, it was his first time outside, being treated like an adult.
He hadn’t understood it at first, only later realizing what had happened but the damage was done. Physical touch terrified him, older men made him shiver and flinch.
It hadn’t stopped there though, age 12 he had been grabbed by some villagers. Them deciding that touching him up was the best idea. He hadn’t told anyone, no one at all. After all, it must have been his fault. He must have misread the situation…but it wasn’t his fault…he knew that now.
Age 14 a man had grabbed him once again, touching him up whilst he headed round to a friend’s house and the feeling of fear had never left… he didn’t know why people did this.
Since when did others have the right to his body? Since when could they touch him without his consent? He would never understand, and the affects would never leave.
He was 16 now… unable to have physical contact without his body burning up in fear, unable to look at older men without shaking internally. He couldn’t wear certain clothes without feeling afraid and he couldn’t go outside alone without worrying…. All of this… because some men couldn’t keep their hands to himself.
However, it was getting better. Lately he had told someone, told them his story. Got the confirmation that it wasn’t his fault. He was getting therapy for it and could now wear shorts without feeling sick.
The feelings would never leave him, no matter the facade that he put up, sometimes he still felt like that scared little child. Not understanding why that man’s hands were on his hips but at least it was getting better.