I'd appreciate getting some thoughts on this situation - this has happened in real life, not just hypothetical. Possibly some details given may be irrelevant, but trying not to drip feed.
Two people, lets call them Jane & James, had a relationship in their late teens at college. It ended after a couple of years when Jane was in trouble with a family situation and ended up homeless, and James chose to walk away, citing that he was finding her situation too stressful. Up to this point, James was the really serious one, Jane wasn't so sure. Other than this, their relationship had been ok - not exactly a burning romance, but no red flags on either side. James was renowned in their friendship circle for being a nice person.
A couple of years down the line, in their early twenties they get back in touch, and rekindle a friendship, and become very close - just as friends. James wants more, Jane doesn't. During this time, Jane finds out that James cheated on her in their teens with her best friend. James has had a couple of casual relationships, Jane had a couple of more serious relationships. Jane tries to keep it just as friends, but there are a few uncomfortable times when James tries to push the boundary.
A few years further down the line again, Jane is in a tight spot, needs to get a flat to rent but can't find anything affordable on her own. James is living with his parents, but wants to get out, as he finds his father overbearing. Jane & James decide to rent a place together. Jane tells James clearly that this is purely as friends, and that there will be nothing between them, as James still wants more from their relationship. James reluctantly agrees. James mother talks to Jane and tells her not to hurt her son or mess him around. Jane tells her that this is purely as friends.
They move in, everything seems fine, everyone is happy - Jane & James are just friends. Then one night, when Jane is almost asleep, James comes into Janes room and gets into her bed, and starts to touch her. Jane is half asleep, but vaguely thinks this is really awkward, and doesn't know what to do. Normally she's a really strong person, but she finds it hard to say anything, so pretends to be asleep, hoping James will give up & go away. James doesn't go away, things progress - full sex results. Jane says nothing, and just lays there, hating every moment. She gives no consent or suggestion of consent verbally or physically, she is completely non-reactive. Next day, nothing is said by either of them, they still act as if they're friends, with nothing else happening. Except that from then on, James regularly comes into Janes room at night, and the same thing happens.
Some weeks later, Jane meets a new man, they just click and it's serious. Jane tells James this, James has a strop, and moves out within a week, leaving Jane unable to pay the rent, and tied to a contract, and with nowhere to go. Janes new boyfriend moves in - they hadn't planned to go so fast, but she's in a tight spot. This new relationship becomes a good and serious long term relationship.
Jane somehow can't stop thinking about what happened back then with James, and blames herself for not saying no to James, but somehow she just felt paralysed by it all at the time. It's still really, really uncomfortable to think about, even some years on.
What are your thoughts about this situation?