TRIGGER WARNING: This piece includes descriptions of sexual assault involving a minor.
Last Friday, I kicked off my workday as I usually do: with a bowl of cereal, a refreshing cup of iced coffee, and the luxury of having the TV on while working from home. Instead of my typical choice of home renovation or cooking shows, I opted to dive into Season 2 of 13 Reasons Why.
This show, which gained notoriety for its intense and realistic portrayal of suicide, launched its second season on May 18. While the first season revolved around Hannah Baker’s tragic suicide, the second season shifted its focus to themes of bullying, violence, and sexual aggression. I was aware of these heavy subjects, as they had been established in the first season, but I was unprepared for the profound effect it would have on me.
Watching the series was challenging, yet it prompted me to confront my own experience of sexual assault as a teenager — to finally acknowledge my story.
So, I decided to write a letter to my younger self — to my innocent 15-year-old self on the day my world changed. This is what I wish I could tell her: