"Ms.Scott, you say you were harassed. Yet, you kept talking to him. Why?" a board member asked accusingly as Hazel sat in the council room, at the end of the long table. On the other side, five board members sat in formal suits. Two females and three males, either writing down notes or gazing towards her with hard stares. A voice recorder rolled, recording every word spoken.
"Because I was scared and he was in a position of power. He had made it clear that ignoring him would cost me a lot. My honor, my dignity, everything that I had worked my entire life to build-" She tried to explain herself.
"No need to be so emotional, Ms.Scott," he cut her off.
"Why didn't you come forward earlier?" a female member spoke up.
"I tried. But I was told not to 'make things complicated.' I was told to be 'careful who I accuse.' "
Sitting in that cold and discomforting room, she thought about how a year ago she could have never imagined being in such a situation. Being harassed? She was way too strong to let that happen to her. But she didn't realize it was this easy for someone to manipulate her and take advantage of her friendliness.
At that time, all she had to worry about was getting into her dream university, and then life would be perfect. But now that she was here, her life was anything but perfect. She didn't want this; all she wanted was to put her all into her career and explore her potential. She had even worked her ass off to get a full scholarship dammit! But this cruel world just wouldn't let a girl live in peace now, would it?
It was only her second semester, and her life was going down a dark path, and she couldn't do anything to stop it. Every single person who told me that university life was going to be my best era was an idiot! She decided.
"But no one else has accused him," She was brought back from her thoughts by a harsh voice.
"That doesn't mean it didn't happen." She defended.
"You wore makeup to classes, didn't you? Dressed nicely?" Her jaw clenched at those words.
"I dressed for myself. Not for him. Stop trying to turn my confidence into an invitation." How could they turn something so normal against her? She thought to herself.
"Let's stay respectful. We're just trying to understand both sides." The chairperson intervened.
"Then start by understanding that being harassed isn't something people enjoy reporting. It's humiliating. I'm not here because I want revenge. I'm here because I want safety."
"What outcome are you hoping for?" a broad member asked her coldly.
"Accountability. Protection. Change." She replied, confidence dripping from her voice despite the circumstances.
"We'll deliberate. You may step out," he said, leaning back
"I did not come here to be blamed for someone else's ac-" She tried to speak up in her defense but was rudely cut off.
"You may leave!" he repeated a little louder.
She wanted to scream and tell them that this was unfair behaviour. She was the victim! But they wouldn't listen and would only use it against her. Just because the guy was on the football team and represented the institute in matches? Was that justified for blaming her? No, it wasn't, but she couldn't do anything about it. So, she left, without uttering another word.
As she exited the room, she saw her only two friends waiting for her with worrisome expressions on their faces. They approached her. Katie embraced her in a comforting hug.
"What happened in there?" Katie asked me as she pulled back from the hug.
"Did they say how they are gonna punish him?" Lara asked.
"No, they first listened to my story, then mostly just asked me accusatory questions, and then let me out very rudely, I wanna cry like a baby right now." She said, rolling her eyes.
"Ugh. Why do people always blame women? I don't understand why they don't think you're the victim. It's so obvious." Katie expressed, totally fed up with the system.
Just then, the guy who had harassed her, Anthony entered the hallway and passed her a cocky smirk, as if he had just won something by throwing her into a ditch.
"I hate the sight of that guy. How can he sleep at night, knowing he ruined other people's peace?" Lara crossed her arms over her chest.
"Whatever! Let's not spend our energy on that douchebag. Hazel, come on, let's go to the cafe and get your favorite chocolate milkshake." Katie tried to lighten up the mood.
"Yeah, you should relax and not think about all this. It's not good for your anxiety." Lara reminded me.
I had recently started going to therapy for it, and wished I had done it sooner. This week's session was going to be interesting.
Later that day, after her classes had finished, Hazel was studying at the library when she got a call from an official number. It must be from the Council; they must have decided the punishment for him. She thought as she exited the silent room to answer the call.
"Is this Hazel Scott from the second semester?" A man from the other side asked.
"Yes." She replied curtly.
"This call is being made to inform you that you have been suspended from the department till further notice. You are not allowed to attend classes during your time of suspension."