A couple of weeks ago I was out downtown to see one of my favorite local bands. I was at a bar, maybe two drinks deep, standing in a crowd of about 30 people. I was standing next to a girlfriend of mine, enjoying the music, dancing to myself, and having a good time.

A man that I had never met or seen before in my life came up from behind me, reached around, grabbed me in my private parts and pulled me into him. I instinctively pulled away and told him no. I wish I was a fighter and had punched him in the face or something, but unfortunately, that is not my natural reaction.

I was absolutely shocked. I felt completely violated and invaded by a complete stranger. I hadn’t spoken to or even noticed this guy all night (especially since I was pretty focused on my boyfriend who happened to be performing on stage), and he felt entitled enough to take control of my body that way. It made me really question what gave him the idea that he could invade me like that. With no hesitation, he felt like he could just grab me however he pleased. Like I wasn’t a human, but just an object for him to use however he wanted. Like he had a right to MY body.

Is this the world that we are living in? Do I and every other girl have to live on the defensive in case a random stranger decides to trespass on our bodies? How could we have let this become acceptable? I don’t want to have to be afraid that every time I go out I will be physically objectified. I guess I never really understand how prominent and commonplace misogyny had become in our society.

I’m not saying this is all Trump’s fault, but I was never grabbed by the pussy by a stranger until he became president. Is he creating a generation of boys that think it's okay to disrespect women? I knew things were going to be bad, but I did not understand the severity until it happened to me. Until I was physically violated by a stranger without any hesitation I was in shock when it happened, but now I just feel so dirty and disturbed. My body is mine, and it is private. It is not for the disposal of any man that wants to grab it. We cannot let our society come to this. Women and girls should not have to live in fear of disrespectful and disgusting men and boys.

I never want to feel the way I did after that night. And I would really like to think it was an isolated incident from one rude guy, but I honestly feel as a woman, that I am not safe from it happening again. I will always be on edge when I'm out trying to have fun. I will never feel completely comfortable in that environment again, and that's not the world I want to live in.