Editor’s note: This piece is a part of ‘In This Together,’ which seeks to raise awareness about the complex issues of sexual violence. We asked the Iowa State community to share perspectives in various mediums as survivors, bystanders and allies. The initiative is a partnership between the Iowa State Daily, Green Dot and the Margaret Sloss Women’s Center. 

After my junior prom, when I was 16, I went to an unsupervised party at a friend’s house. We drank some alcohol, but I didn’t want to be drunk, so I only drank enough to get a buzz. My then-boyfriend was there, and we started making out in one of the bedrooms. I didn’t want to go further then kissing. I didn’t think he would hurt me. After a few minutes, he shoved his hand down my pants. I said no, and asked him to stop. He said he knew I actually wanted it. I tried to shove him off of me, but I wasn’t strong enough. I yelled for my friends to come help, but no one came. He assaulted me with his fingers. He didn’t use lubrication and it hurt. I didn’t report him because he was my boyfriend. I was ashamed, and I thought it was my fault.