Boys will be boys

One of the most notable times I got sexually harassed was when I was in grade four. I took a seat, and four guys in the grade below me sat in front of me.

At one point during the ride, they turned around and started picking on me, saying gross things. I asked them to stop, but they ignored me, and the bus monitor was no help. I called for him, and he came and joked with them and "assured" me that they would leave me alone.

I rolled my eyes and learned very quickly that no one was going to help me. Anxiety crept around, and I felt my heart pounding as the boys continued their disgusting harassment.

Everyone around was ignoring them, probably thinking boys will be boys. This saying is harmful and allows boys to get away with things they shouldn't. It creates gender constructed stereotypes and explains away aggressive behaviour. These boys were talking about assaulting me, and no one was listening to me!

When we finally got to school, I tried to get off the bus, but no one was allowed off until we settled down. I watched the bus in front of us unload, and I prayed that I could teleport to their bus and get away from these boys.

Suddenly one of the boys named Caleb pulled out a battery and started laughing as he fiddled with it.

"Hey, I know where this will fit," said Caleb while grinning at me.

"Where," said one of his friends.

"Up here," Caleb said as he pulled my legs apart and gestured toward my vagina!

I pushed his hand away and shoved my way to the front of the bus as the driver finally opened the door. The humiliation I felt, and anger at everyone who ignored me propelled me forward.

The bell rang, and I went to my first-period class, where I tried to tell my teacher what happened, but she didn't have time. With ninety minutes left until our first break, I went back to my seat and did my work.

As soon as the recess bell rang, I put my stuff into my backpack and ran to the principle's office. The secretary was useless and refused to let me talk to the principle, despite me saying I wasn't comfortable telling her why I needed to. I refused to leave. I planted myself in a chair and waited until I saw the principle.

"I need to talk to you about something that happened on the bus," I yelled across the room.

The principle stopped and gestured for me to follow her into her office. We sat across from each other, and I explained, everything from what the boys said to the battery incident.

Although she looked horrified, she took forever to say anything.

"I will call him down and talk to him, then decide what to do."

Her tone didn't sound convinced, but at least she was true to her word. I waited in her office for half an hour. Finally, she returned and told me that the boy laughed and said it was a joke.

"Was it a joke," she asked in all seriousness.

I could not believe that she was victim-blaming me and that she would even consider that.

"It was not a joke," I replied through clenched teeth.

"Okay, I believe you. I have informed him that he is suspended and might not be allowed to return. I called Caleb's mother, and she is on her way here to pick him up."

"Thank you, and what is going to happen to the other boys who were also involved? What about the bus monitor who didn't help me?"

"I gave the other boys a warning, they didn't do anything harmful. I moved the bus monitor, so you'll have a different one starting this afternoon."

I wanted to scream at her that they had encouraged their friend, and they deserved suspension too! In my opinion, they all deserved expulsion.

As I left the office, I saw Caleb leaving the school with his mother, and the scowl on her face deepened when she saw me. Whatever it's Caleb's fault, not mine.

I returned to the classroom and went about my day.

A month went by, and to my satisfaction, Caleb got expelled.