When I was young I would ask for a bedtime story and my momma would say, “Once upon a time in a faraway kingdom… that's how these stories normally go right. Then you learn about the damsel in distress and about her prince charming whom she awaits to save her. Then they live happily ever after. They always live happily ever after. But not here, not in the real world honey, in the real world if a damsel needs saving she better put her big girl panties on and do something about it. Because that ‘prince charming’ doesn’t exist, men, these days ain't lookin’ for no damsels. They ain’t lookin’ to be no hero. You got to be strong enough to not depend on a man to save you when things get rough. You have to be your own hero, honey.”  She didn't start telling me this “story” until I was 8 or 9 years old. Back then I just thought momma was a little off but as I grew older it became my favorite of her “bedtime stories”.

My mother has always been strong-minded and quick to speak. But she had to sacrifice for me and worked multiple jobs all my life and struggled to make ends meet. I wanted more for my life so I went to college and had to get a waitressing job to pay my way through.  After I graduated I kept working as a waitress, just full time now so I could pay off my debt. And help with bills, because I still lived with my mother for the time being. A year after college I was fed up with my life and decided that I needed to get a better job. After applying and getting denied so many times I was just about to give up when my phone rings. I said hello and I was met with a friendly voice.  

“Hello this is Malcolm Collins from Collins studios, calling for a Miss Jessica Tomson.” the voice said.  I was surprised but managed a “yes this is she”. “Great”, said Mr. Collins, “I'm calling about the job interview you did about two weeks ago”. My thoughts were going in every direction. I got the job, I didn’t get the job, I'm going to need new clothes, aren't I.

Finally, I replied with a, “yes I remember.” Then Mr.Collins says the one sentence I had been praying for, for two months. “You got the job, Miss Tomson. See you at work on Monday, eight AM sharp.” “Thank you so much, Mr. Collins, you won't be disappointed” I squealed through the phone. “I hope not I will have the temp email you your schedule, dress code, and anything else you may need, and please call me Malcolm,” Mr. Collins explained to me. I thank him and hang up the phone. I got the job, finally.

On my way to work, that first day all I can think about is not messing up the job. I got there and the morning went well the temp was there to help me along if you consider what she did help.  Malcolm didn't get there until around 10 AM and didn’t seem to notice that the temp had left. Or that I had replaced her because he called me Amy when he asked if anyone had called while he was out. I didn't correct him and said no, and then brought him his memos and coffee. This is when he realized his mistake, “Thank you, Jessica and I'm sorry for calling you Amy it won't happen again”. “No it's fine I saw that you were distracted when you came in” I explained to him.

“Just work stuff, you don't know how happy I am that I have you, a college-educated woman to work for me and not a temp, who probably trained you wrong,” Malcolm replied.  I laughed because it was true. “I had to read through the intro binder after she left but I think I got it down now”. I half laughed half said to him. “I'm so sorry I wasn't here to help you, I had a meeting to go to.” says Malcolm  “it’s totally ok” I replied, “just tell me if you need anything while I try to transfer this computer over to link with my work laptop instead of Amy’s tablet”. He sent me off with a good luck and a short to do list.

A month went by and I was starting to feel really confident in my work. Malcolm had been complimenting me often and saying that I was the best assistant he had ever had. Friday, October 5, was my birthday so everyone treated me extra nice and gave me a card everyone in the office had signed. I was reading it next to the microwave in the break room when I heard the break room door close. I looked behind me and I saw Malcolm standing there.

“Happy birthday Jessica. I didn't sign the card because I wanted to tell you happy birthday in person and give you something special” Malcolm said to me. “You shouldn't have” I replied, “really, the card was more than enough.” He handed me a small wrapped box. I opened it and my mouth dropped open. In the box was a necklace with a diamond pendant. I shook my head and started to tell Malcolm that I could never take such an expensive gift from him when he grabbed my waist and tried to kiss me. My shock quickly turned to horror. I yanked away from him and he said to me, “What's your problem, I thought you liked the necklace. I thought you knew about this thing between us.” “First off I don't think the necklace is appropriate and there is nothing going on between us.” I quickly respond.

“Oh ok, I’m so sorry for assuming, Jessica I hope we can forget about this little encounter and move forward,” said Malcolm.  “It’s not that simple” I replied, “what just happened here was not ok and I need a guarantee that it won’t happen again.” Malcolm just looked at me for a minute and then finally he said that he understood and then apologized again and left the room.

I just couldn't stop thinking about what had happened in the break room. Since it was Friday I knew that Malcolm would be staying late. So once everyone else had left I went into his office to talk about the whole ordeal. “Oh hey, Jessica can I help you with something?” Malcolm asked. “I just wanted to talk to you about what happened earlier. I was hoping that you could tell me why you thought doing that was ok?” I questioned him. The way he started looking at me after I said that made me very uncomfortable. He walked over to his office door, then closed and locked it. Then he stood in front of the door and just looked at me. “No one else is here so locking the door is unnecessary and it is making me very uneasy. Will you please move from the door and so I can leave?”

What happened in the next 20 minutes is the most horrific memory that I have. But without that unfortunate event, I wouldn't be standing here today talking to all of you. The story I just told you all happened to me almost 5 years ago but it continues to happen every day to a new victim. Help me in helping them by donating your time and money to my nonprofit organization, A Helping Hand. Through this nonprofit, we help women and young girls who have been sexually assaulted and raped find jobs, and places to live, and most importantly a community where they won't be shamed. Let's stop villainizing the victim and start lending a shoulder to cry on and an ear to listen. Together we can overcome. Together we can make a difference. Thank you.