The Lawsuit That Never Happened

Location: California

This has been weighting on my mind today. This happened in 2011, so i know It‘s a little too late. My friend Ana was sexually molested by two boys in a school bus. They sat her in the middle and both boys were feeling on her thighs the whole ride there. We were both 8th graders and now we’re both pushing 30. But I always wondered what would’ve happened if we legally took action. My mom tells me I could’ve sued as well because I was in distress just watching the whole thing happen. I was scared so I wasn’t much help even though I tried yanking one of them by the shirt. I was screaming “Stop” the whole ride there. They just wouldn’t let her go. I also didn’t realize at the time that the buses had cameras.

As we got off the bus I yanked her out of there. I stood there looking at them in shock for 30 seconds for some reason. They proceeded to tell me they should’ve touched me instead. I pleaded Ana to tell the bus driver but she looked so scared. She was begging me not to say anything and I felt like I had to respect her wishes since she was the victim after all. Today I regret not telling the bus driver. The ring leader of the two looked like he was enjoying what he was doing. He scared me the most out of two. These boys never received any punishment because Ana never told anyone. We remained friends until the end of high school and never talked about it again.

We were both quiet girls just super shy. I’m guessing that’s why they targeted her. I just want to know what could’ve happened if we legally took action?