How did I know I was no longer a child?

I knew moment he grabbed me.

His hand touched my body without my consent

and I knew I was a woman.

I knew he thought me an object

something to be used

and thrown out.

The second he whispered in my ear

that he would do what he wanted

and there was nothing I could do to stop him.

My eyes have been opened to the world of assault

and they will never be closed to it again.

Why? Because I am a woman.

I am no longer protected by innocence.

I will always be targeted as a prize to be won,

a thing to be used and discarded like garbage.

There will never be a moment in my life where I do not wish to be a child again

Why? Because of the moment he grabbed me.