“We all deal with trauma in different ways.”

We all deal with trauma in different ways, this much is true. A common reaction is to freeze up; unfortunately, this way is usually extremely ineffective at mitigating the trauma. However, it is intrinsic instinct. Fight, flight or freeze is the most common explanation for our natural intrinsic impulses when faced with trauma.

These were words the big boss at the office said to me the other day when I told him about how I was potentially protecting the next woman who may be hired to be my blind coworker’s reader. I am protecting them because of the law right now, which only mandates management to “take action” after one sexual assault. “Tak[ing] action,” entails a verbal warning. Sexual harassment must occur twice before anyone can be held legally responsible.

I responded to this trauma by remaining in this job and demanding appropriate measures are taken so that he cannot touch me again.