I was out one evening at a local pub, enjoying some live music with friends. We were off in a corner by ourselves, doing our own thing, dancing, and having a good time. A man came up to me and started dancing behind me. I sort of swayed for a minute while I debated my options and then I stepped forward and away from him. He grabbed my arm and pulled my back against him, pinning my arm to my chest. I pulled against him again and tried to pull away and he held onto my rest. Finally, my friends noticed what was happening and one of my male friends pulled me away from the guy and forced the guy to leave.
I’m not sure what I would have done had my friends not been there. The guy was drunk and wouldn’t let me go. I had bruises on my arm the next day and I was angry. What gives anyone the right to touch me without my consent? The fact that I’m a foot shorter than you, that I’m smaller than you, doesn’t give anyone the right to manhandle me.
It made me realize that I need to learn to protect myself, because I can’t use strength alone to fight someone off. The saddest part is, I shouldn’t have to fight anyone off. There is so much disrespect in putting hands on someone that never gave you permission to and it makes me so angry!
– ET
Location: Florida/Pub
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