Sophie’s letter to Leo

When I first met you, you were so kind, open and empathetic.

I admired how forgiving you could be of people who hurt you in the past. I believed you couldn’t hurt a fly. But you hurt me.

Yes, you’ve tried to apologize and explain yourself.

A part of me wants to ask why you took advantage of my trust in you, but I know nothing you say could really make me understand. I loved you, I wanted to build a future with you so

I let my guard down and I let you in. But that doesn’t give you the right to try and take what you misguidedly thought was yours.

Yes we kissed and I let you hold me but I asked you to stop! I begged you, cried and yelled but you didn’t hear me. You only stopped when you wanted to!

You know my past history with guys. My sexual encounters with rich older men for material pleasures. You know how much it affected me and how I wanted the next time I had sex to be with someone I loved and on my own terms. 

But that night, you didn’t care about what I wanted, you were selfish and you let your physical urges get the better of you.

Yes, you didn’t rape me and yes, after my hysterical crying and pleading you finally realized what you were doing and stopped. But it was still a little too late.

If you loved me, you wouldn’t have pushed that far. But I am none of these things! And you need to know that. I need to know that!

I am disappointed in you. I definitely think less of you. But no, you’re not a monster. I just want you to understand, that for every action, there is a reaction and someone gets hurt. 

I want you to know how it felt to feel like my body wasn’t mine anymore.

So the next time you meet a girl and you claim you love her, remember that her body, mind and soul are HERS! Not yours to dominate without permission and at your request. I hope you understand and I hope you get the help you need.

Sophie