Ruby’s Story

I was 13. I wanted to catch up with an old friend. It ended up being much more than that. We were alone. It was dark. I let it happen.

I didn’t really realise what had happened for a long time. I spent a long time convincing myself I was ok with what happened. But certain memories would play back to me and remind me that it wasn’t ok. 

A year went by of suffering alone with social anxiety, depressive episodes, self harm and suicidal thoughts at my lowest. I was in an english lesson and we were doing a creative writing piece. I decided to write about what happened. It was therapeutic and almost relieving to have it written down and symbolic as I gave it away to my teacher at the end of my lesson. My english teacher pulled me aside the following week and asked me about it. I couldn’t lie and so I told them it was true. They told me that they wouldn’t tell anyone but because they were my teacher they couldn’t really assure me of that. Given school policies my head of year had to be told and therefore my parents. I had thought of telling them for a while before then but that was not the way I wanted them to find out about that sort of thing. 

Despite them finding out through school and not me, I wouldn’t change it. I am so grateful for the support I received from them. Along with my school and counsellors. I did report the incident to the police. I am making a formal statement but due to the length of time I left since the incident, nothing more could really be done.