tw: mentioned sexual assault [nothing graphic but must be emphasised] & victim not being believed initially
[name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] [name_f]Jasmine[/name_f] DuMarr (23) is Pretoria’s close friend from the classical music scene and at one point, a best friend of [name_f]Dottie[/name_f] Tsai. This ended abruptly, and traumatically, when [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] was subjected to a sexual assault at the hands of Dottie’s then-boyfriend, someone she trusted considerably on account of how well he treated someone she cared about and then decried by him as a liar who was jealous of the relationship he’d formed with her friend, leading to [name_f]Dottie[/name_f] cutting [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] out of her life. Although the truth eventually came out, after the manipulations of the ex caught up with him [specifically his claims of being with a friend when she was attacked were proven hollow after [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] reached out to the guy in question, after building up enough courage], and [name_f]Dottie[/name_f] acknowledged what happened, their friendship never recovered from the shattering impact not being believed had. [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] didn’t want to risk developing a resentment towards [name_f]Dottie[/name_f] and chose to step back from this, before all she’d been through completely poisoned the well, in spite of what more isolation did to her mental state.
Her music - specifically violin and cello, as she’s always preferred string instruments - helped massively with the healing journey she’s been on from that dreadful night, although it’s something she still attends therapy for. [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] had to talk her stepbrother, who’s blood to her in every meaningful sense, out of going after her attacker when she revealed the truth to her family, and currently she’s preparing for the upcoming trial that will hopefully see some justice done. Since she pressed charges, being encouraged by her oldest friend [who believed her from the get go and argued with [name_f]Dottie[/name_f] during the time her ex was controlling the narrative], another young woman has come forwards with a chillingly similar tale, and all [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] wants is to see this man taken away from environments where he feels comfortable enough to victimise people. Part of her is still cynical about things, thanks to how SA survivors tend to be treated, but more recent public opinions have helped brighten her outlook slightly.
Aside from music she works for her sister’s small print making business - doing packaging and deliveries alongside their cousin, who’s basically her sister’s twin in every emotional sense - and she now owns a lovely rescue labrador named [name_m]Bruce[/name_m]. [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] knits and listens to podcasts as a means of relaxing, as well as practising mediation to clear her mind from intrusive thoughts - which have unfortunately been more common since the incident. She just wants to keep moving forwards with her life and is grateful to have such a wonderful support network, especially her blended family who’ve worked hard to build up her confidence to testify and give evidence [especially her uncle who’s a detective in another State, and he’s rang her several times to give advise].
What led to her bonding with [name_f]Pretoria[/name_f] was learning of how the other woman went so far to stop Cortney’s manipulations, winning nothing but respect from [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u]. After some deliberation she opened up about what happened to her - people in their music group know she attends therapy but are polite enough to not pry - and learning she’s also familiar with the Tsai family was a shock for [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] but nothing she’d hold against Pretoria; as there isn’t any grudges, in spite of her not seeing [name_f]Dottie[/name_f] anymore. The [name_u]Charles[/name_u] situation is something she has nothing to do with but really it’s an escape for her friend, as [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] would much rather chat about music compositions or upcoming hangouts they’re both attending instead of digging into something she has nothing to do with. It’s the way she feels about her circumstances and the least [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] wants to do is provide others with the same treatment [within reason]. Her friend’s tattoos are something she is vocal about loving though, and while she has one on her back, [name_u]Ainsley[/name_u] and [name_f]Pretoria[/name_f] are currently trying to come up with designs for another.