Quote From: overmyroverNext week I'm supposed to be a bridesmaid in my childhood friend Janice's wedding. Things were running smoothly until just a few nights ago. This requires a little backstory.
A little less than a year ago I was at a small gathering with friends, Janice including. As the designated driver I had trouble keeping up so I fell asleep on the couch. One of Janice's friends thought I was passed out drunk and attempted to molest me. He only got his hand down my pants before I woke up and created a scene. He admitted to what he did, so there is no question whether or not it happened.
Since this incident Janice has not stopped being friends with him. I think in her mind because he never got very far that his actions were bad but excusable. I think failing at what you set out to do doesn't lessen the action. She knows I hate him but continued to invite him even to events that she knew I would be at. This is something I've been stewing about for a year now.
A couple nights ago I had enough and didn't handle myself very maturely. In front of everyone at my friends house I told him that he wasn't invited to anywhere where he could see my face. Then I threw him and his bike off the porch. He retorted that he would be at Janice's wedding and I told him that he was NOT invited to Janice's wedding anymore. After he left I apologized to Janice for uninviting a guest to her wedding, but told her this was something we needed to talk about. She replied, "Well, this is kind of complicated because he's our groomsman."
Apparently everyone has known all along and were instructed to keep it a secret from me. They were assuming that it would be too late when I found out and I couldn't back out. I have never felt so betrayed in my life. They wanted to sit there while I walked down the aisle with my molester in front of my family, my partner, and all my friends. It's disgusting to me. Even though she has since offered to take him out of the wedding I told her I wasn't going to be her bridesmaid and my family and I wouldn't be attending her wedding. I feel betrayed by everyone who knew about this but I also feel incredably guilty not taking part of the wedding. I also don't want everyone sitting around talking about how I need to "just get over it."
Should I try to save this friendship? Should I be friends with ANY of these people? How do I just get over it? Should I just do the wedding and work the details out later?
With friends like that who needs enemies?! Sheesh that is callous, manipulative and shallow, she really your friend?!
Wow, this man tried to cause you serious physical, emotional and mental harm! He should be avoided like the plague! Gawd, I can just imagine what some girls have gone through that have passed out at a party he was attending! Geez!
No freaking Way! Gawd Hun this is must be absolutely awful for you, was reading the part were your "friends" kept it a secret and this is the man that was to escort you down the isle?! No freaking way!
OK, so she tried to make amends by taking him out of the wedding once the "SECRET" was exposed!
Uh Thanks, But no Thanks!
Stay away from these people hun they are poison and do not have your best interest at heart, and you are so right when you said an incomplete crime is still a crime and the criminal has no place amongst decent, caring, loving people.
Unfortunately from were I am sitting your friends condone his actions, and made absolutely no reprove of his actions whatsoever!
No, you do not have to feel guilty over someone else's callousness, and selfish behavior.
I would not be friends with any one that supports an individual that thinks it is ok to rape someone who is unconscious, whether they were unconscious from drink or otherwise!
You begin to heal from this by speaking to a rape counselor, even though the act was not completed the intent was there, and that has effects on how we view ourselves and the world around us too!
You also, begin healing from it by finding good people to get to know, and become friends with.
As for the wedding, would you want to put your family "unknowingly" amongst people that thought it would be ok if the man that attempted to violate you escorted you down the isle?
think if your family knew about this they would hit the roof too! You deserve way more respect and consideration than that!
You have absolutely nothing to prove to these people! Not one dang thing. Grieve the hurt and loss of a friendship that you wished was true, speak to a counselor about this incident, get out and meet some new people, there are good people out their just like you that would cherish the friendship you have to offer them!
Let me know how things are going for you!
Hugs
Tammy