SaraKay Smullens
Jul 27, 2017 · 2 min read

Dear Readers,

I debated a long time before writing this personal piece. Although I have worked with sexually abused women throughout my professional life, and have written about this horror (perhaps you would like to see a piece that appeared on Broad Street Review, and can be found on my website: www.sarakaysmullens.com), writing about yourself is very different.

Had I received a sincere and timely response from the company, I would not have written this article. Since the article was submistted, I finally heard from two employees, one in response to my letter and one in response to my husband’s evaluaton of our trip. I had to insist on hearing from the president himself, and I finally did. (I inaccurately referred to him as the CEO in my piece.) In no way did any response address the horror of this experience on so many levels, most importantly: Why were the men in this group offered more to drink after the incident was reported (to three employees), and why were they not watched carefully!

In my written response to the president of the company, I asked how he would feel if this incident happened to his daughter, his wife, or his mother. I added that I would fall in the last category.

I want you to know that there was an offer to reimburse me for meals missed when I was so ill after the assault. I was so insulted that I cannot remember the amount. I believe it was $250. I was instructed to call a separate number to arrange this payment. A good friend, an attorney, could not believe that in the least I did not receive an offer for reimbursement for the two days of hell on the train. In truth, neither could I. I do want you to that flashes of this horror do continue in my mind when least expected, and that I then feel chills and stomach distress, my eyes misting. I do not want this ever to happen to you!

I wrote this piece for one reason: I want women everywhere to learn from my experience, to be on alert and to react far more immediately than I was able to do.

Most sincerely,

SaraKay Smullens

    SaraKay Smullens

    Written by

    social worker, best selling author who coined the phrase, “emotional sense of direction,” sees this as essential in navigating life’s slippery slopes.