When I was in kindergarten a boy named Nick used to chase me around the playground, try to touch me in class, sit next to me even when I tried to get away from him, etc. He used to scream, “Do ya love me? Then kiss me, baby!” (He must have been quoting, but I have no idea what O.o)

All the grownups thought this behavior was adorable. My mom told me he liked me, and my teachers let him sit next to me every day when we sat on the ground for story time.

One day, Nick sat next to me as usual, and then he started tickling me. I am *extremely* ticklish–I collapsed into a flailing ball, laughing and screaming for him to stop. The teacher shushed us, but two seconds later Nick tickled me again. After this happened a few times, the helper teacher came over and banished *both* of us to the table where disruptive kids had to sit.

When I complained that *I didnt DO anything*, the helper teacher scowled and said, “you were encouraging him. Laughing and giggling and having a good old time.”

And this is why we need to start teaching consent and combatting rape culture and victim blaming *early*.