DON’T TOUCH MY HAIR

By: Kiara Balleza

It’s typically 6pm when a student gets out of any activity after school and it’s time to get on the bus; once they get on, they sit alone when all of a sudden a very creepy man sits nexts to her. It’s already uncomfortable, but when it even turns more torturous is once she tries to shift to another seat, he then says “Where are you going?”

Students here at Phoenix, as well as victims on the bus should never be left alone at any circumstances, whether that be on the bus, at school, or even freely walking to the train station; they must be very cautious, we must be very cautious. You can practice screaming or kicking, or do anything to make sure when you or someone is being harassed, bullied, or assaulted; when in doubt, look for actions/face expressions/how the situation looks that show she/he is in a need of help.

Although it is common for students who are “playing around” to be mistaken for needing serious help, that is not always the case. When trouble really happens, many say students or victims should move or asked for help. However, asking for help is not as easy as it seems.

Students must understand that when them or victims try and attempt to ask for help, they are terrified to say something since they could have been threatened, maybe the assaulter has a weapon, or possibly just the thought of someone trying to touch you or them makes them silent because both stranger or student might be in shock. Some will cry, and other students think it can be possible to try and “talk it out”,with  the assaulter that they are not qualified to do any actions towards them. When in doubt, a student who is a leader should step in, and help a student out of the situation. A student should also help a stranger when they are in need of assistance. It’s time to stop looking down and being so engaged with our phones; don’t put your headphones on with the volume on  loud.  Instead, actually try be aware of your surroundings because you never know if a cadet or someone could be violated today and missing the next. There is no such thing as “They didn’t say anything, so it was okay.” If the assaulter touched you in a way that he/she thought it was only a joke or consent, and both kinds of victims never said anything, in the end, do you believe that the assaulter still did something the victim was uncomfortable with? If someone had sex without consent, isn’t the answer no? Do the assaulters have consent  when the victim said nothing? No. Some will say “But he/she didn’t say no or do anything at all.” Harassment is still harassment. Rape is still rape, and so if you see whether a student or a victim did not say nothing, but their face screams for help, do you still think they are okay with it? Would you be okay if you were in their shoes?

Sadly enough, many adults and students walk past hopeless students and helpless strangers. They just stare at their poor souls and avoid being involved. NEVER BE THAT ONE KIND OF PERSON. To all men and women, ages under 18 or over; make sure you sit in the front, be aware if someone is in need of help and tell someone quickly, sit with someone whether that’d be a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, or just somewhere with people; if someone needs help, never ignore them. This is a school that influences kids to have good leadership skills, what are you doing wearing that class A that has a pin that says “Great Leadership” when you are being a bystander?