Another woman was raped today at the pools. I do not think I’ll ever get used to it. I do not like to write about it, but our abuse is a regular occurrence. It happens frequently. This time it was Ken and his buddies. They cornered Charlotte by the bar. She is so sweet. She does not belong here. None of us do.
One of them came out of the pool and approached her. He started telling her how perfect she is, asked her if she knew how fine she is. At first she looked confused and maybe slightly flattered. The others slowly got out of the pool as well. Like they could smell what was going on. Maybe they planned it, who knows. It happens often enough that everyone knows what is about to happen.
They approached slowly. Like a pack of animals creeping up on their prey. Her look turned to fear. She realized what was happening. He said he knew she wanted it. He said he could not resist her perfect ass any longer. She started saying, no, over and over.
He said, “yes, yes, yes.” He made shushing sounds and told her it is ok, she will enjoy it. She was backed up against the bar, there was not anywhere to go. The others were within reach. One of them circled around the back of the bar. She was pleading. Saying “Please… Please no.” The one behind the bar reached over and grabbed her breasts and pulled her back over the bar. He held her arms while the others grabbed her legs and pulled her swimsuit off. She started screaming.
Myself and the other women faded back into the plants and shadows. I knew if we tried to stop it, it would turn more violent and we would be next.
I walked away, ashamed that I did not do anything to try to help. I knew I could not do anything, but I still felt responsible for not taking some sort of action. I felt sick. I grabbed a half full bag of trash and went out to the dumpster, like I had work to do. Another woman was already there squatting behind the dumpster crying. We all suffered when one of us was attacked.
Later, in the dorm, we would hold Charlotte and cry together. It is all we can do. It’s still not enough.
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