When I was a kid, one of my older male cousins sexually assaulted me. He wasn't the only one. Four different male cousins abused me at different times growing up, and I stayed silent for years.
As an adult, I finally told my mom that I had been assaulted, but I never shared the details. A few years later, I posted about my experience on my Instagram story. One of my female cousins replied, saying she was sorry for what happened. I told her that her own brother was one of the people who abused me.
Instead of reacting with shock, she asked me exactly what he did. I couldn't believe that was her first question, so I ended the conversation. After that, none of his sisters ever reached out to me again.
What still haunts me the most is something he did years later. He found me online and messaged me. He didn't apologize. He didn't ask if I was okay. His only question was whether I had told anyone.
That told me everything I needed to know. He knew exactly what he had done.
I haven't seen him since I was a child, and I hope I never do. But if I ever cross paths with him again, I don't think I'll ever forget what he took from me.