It happened to #MeToo

Mercy shares her powerful story

Your thoughts (28)

Uncle Frank was my best friend. If my sister upset me, I reported to him. If I liked a boy, I confided in him. I could tell him anything because he never judged me. He kept my secrets like they were his.

But last year, I noticed Uncle Frank staring at my chest. I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. So I brushed the whole thing aside.

Then I observed that whenever he came to visit, he no longer wanted us to sit in the parlour. Instead, he preferred us to stay outside and talk. He made suggestive comments about my body. I began to feel uncomfortable around him.

One afternoon, Uncle Frank dropped by. My sister was at work. I was nervous, but I played it cool. I sat far away from him and he asked me to come closer. When I refused, he came over and sat beside me. Before I could blink, he touched my thigh. I knew for sure I wasn’t imagining things. I got up and asked him to leave.

Uncle Frank couldn’t believe it. The look on his face ehn! Anyway, I told him our friendship was over because he’d broken my trust. He gave me a hard look, then left.

I was hurting so bad. I wanted to report Uncle Frank, but who could I possibly report my own confidant to? Besides, when a girl in my youth group said a family friend harassed her, people called her a liar. I was scared that no one would believe me. So I kept my story to myself.

Afterwards, Uncle Frank stopped visiting. Then he started coming around again. This time, he was my sister’s “best friend.” He would give her little things and ask her to share them with me. I rejected them all. My sister didn’t understand why. She scolded me for being rude.

But I knew Uncle Frank was up to no good. I knew if I didn’t speak up, he’d hurt my sister too. So I told her everything.

My sister was stunned. She told Uncle Frank to leave us alone. She said if he didn’t, she’d report him to our parents who will report him to the police. Then she praised me for being brave. I felt proud of myself for speaking up. I’ll never be afraid again.

Being betrayed by someone you trust can be heartbreaking. However, don’t let one person’s actions stop you from opening up to other people. Always remember: your body belongs to you alone. Nobody has the right to touch you without your consent. Always report to a trusted adult, never keep it to yourself.

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Your thoughts

yes it is true we should speak up if anything like that happen because he is stronger than us nd can even force us to do things we don't want to and they will eventually hurt us so we need to be extra careful

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

dere was dis man livin in front of my house who own me. i went 2 him 2 ask 4 d money, buh he started touch me, can't even control his self saying i should help him, i then realise its not a joke, i stood up leave dey immediately. as i return i told my sister everything nd should b very careful wit him. as our mum return we let her known wat happen. she asked has he done anything wrong wit me i said no. my mum warn him seriously. so i feel proud of my self 4 speaking out.

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

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Yes Springster! You did the right thing and we are glad you had the right people around you. Thanks for sharing your experience with us and with other Springsters.

Yes I also experienced this with my teacher in school. I also feel uncomfortable around him because he touches me somehow like touching my thigh and sometimes brushing off my breasts,the worst was when he touched my vagina though not physically but through my clothes I was very shocked and to worsen d matter he behaved as if nothing happened since then I have tried to stay away from him but he still disturbs me on WhatsApp and Facebook.Recently he told me he likes me but I hate him with all in me and am afraid to report him to d school authority.My friends too know about it(classmates).I don't know what to do! Advise me Big sis

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Springster! Thanks for opening up through this comment. Your story is very similar to Mercy's in the story and we advise you to report this teacher immediately. Keeping quiet is not safe for you as he will continue to use it against you. It is good that your classmates know about this. Apart from reporting to the school, you should also let your parents, guardian or any trusted adult at home know about this. Please speak up for your own safety. You have every right to and you should do so immediately. We wish you all the best and we hope this helps

Ok Big sis I will do as you have said

u know what,u have to tell me that u are not interested,tell him u will report him to d police if he does not stop disturbing u,it has happened to me before when I was in jss2 buh I told him that I will report him to d police since then he stopped disturbing me,and you can also call ur mum privately and tell her or ur elder sister or brother they can help you solve d problem

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

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Thanks for sharing these tips with us. We appreciate your thoughts and we are so happy to hear your own experience. Thanks once again

AM 16 AND NOT MENSTRUATING I DONT UNDERSTAND BIG SIS

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Springster! Thanks for the comment. Some people are naturally late bloomers (they tend to see their periods late and their organs also develop late). However, we advise you to see a doctor and also talk to a trusted adult. We hope this helps

pls Wat z people loving in sex z it sweet,pls I need a answer big sis.

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey j.smart.! Thanks for the comment. Sex is personal and different for everyone. While some people say that it is sweet, others may not think the same way. Everyone has what it is that they love about sex and it is different and unique for everybody so big sister cannot speak for everyone. The only advice we can give is that do not rush into sex, do not have sex because everyone is doing it. Be ready for it and only do it when you are sure that you can handle the responsibilities that come with it. Also, if you must have sex, always use a condom. We hope this helps

I really envy wat u av done,by speaking out.a lot of people out there are forgeting dat d truth will always prevail.i pray 4 people dat are in ur past position 4 God's help.

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Big sis,is it bad to have sex,with ur boyfriend??!

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

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sex outside marriage is wrong,,we re teenagers and our body would always want to play tricks on us,we would be pressured BT sis pls don't fall into temptation

Hey blackgold! Thanks for the comment. Sex is a personal decision. You have to be sure you are ready for it and all the responsibilities that come with it. These include pregnancy, STDs/STIs and even HIV. We hope this helps

it's very good the way u opening up...becos it's dangerous if u keep it to urself

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

that was a brave thing u did...

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

You were very brave and I commend you for that. We teenagers and youths should be very careful. Most potential abusers are those people close to us and people we trust. If you've ever been abused,you should tell someone and seek counselling. Do not blame yourself because it wasn't your fault. Stay safe and Jesus loves you

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

big mummy am new here bt ive gat to ask u dis question..i nd my boyfriend had a quarell nd i told him i need space for about three months bt he said he cant do it bt if dats wat i want i should go ahead nd nw am in love with someonelse in d process wat should i do

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey sofia! Thanks for the comment. This is a personal decision and it is up to you to make. We advise you to be sure of your feelings for the other person is not infatuation or a crush before you jump into anything. Also, IF you are no longer interested in your boyfriend, please let him know and do not put him in the dark. We hope this helps

u did really well

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

thers a friend of mine so he asked me for a relationship i accepted n on d first day he visited me we both sat on a cusion n he started romancing me i told him to stop dat i didnt like it but he said he wont hurt me so he asked me to show him my room n which i did he tried to make me stay in my room wit me on bed i said no n i went back to d sitting room n now to b honest since den i no longer value him cos he made me hate him for good n now in me i no longer want dis relationship but i dont know hw to tell him cos we are not in good terms now cos im no longer callin texting visisting or chatting wit him pleas what can i do to end dis relationship

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

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Hey Bestie! Thanks for the comment. You have every right to feel the way you do because what he did was not the right thing to do. Just let him know that you are not interested in a being in a relationship with him anymore. It is better for you to let him know once and for all than to keep making him feel like you still have feelings for him. We hope this helps

My maths teacher asked me to see him in his office,when I came he locked his door,i was really scared when i tried to leave,he grabbed me nd started touching me nd wen I tried to scream he covered my mouth nd used strength to pin me down bt i managed to escape nd i was really scared to tell anyone nd i kept on hvin nightmares of him trying to rape me ,d nxt day wen i came skul he told me dat if i don't give him wat he wants he will fail me in exam.pls wat do i do?????

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

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Am very sori 4 wat u went thro bt pls u ave to tell ur parents frm dere ur parents will meet ur principal, ur safety is important.

Am Avaine by name am a male ....I went to ph to visit my sister there was her friend called Boma dat do pop in sum times wen coming back frm work she's beautiful the first day I saw her wit my sister she asked my sister who I am which my sister told her ,she started crushing on me I was surprise she cox she was older Dan my age,weneva she came to d house her eyes flashed directly to my eyeball am confuse about it so one day she came my sister wasn't around I was alone in the room ...so she sat close to me I saw her thigh it was so fresh my body start to react she quickly ask me in calm voice to touch her I was scared to do that she took my hand to her thigh I resist it so she imposed a word on me by saying " u d fuck up" I left the room with thoughts bothering my heart nd she keep coming to our house seducing me " should I tell my sister about it please help me

March 20, 2022, 7:54 p.m.

Latest Reply

Tell she that do distop, ''what is her thought''/''wants''' if she open up that she love you, then express your feeling, But what u must knw is that some like that can be a good/loving wife, but some may just want to be using u in sactifiying their urge of sex,,,, Be bold and act like a man....