What People Don't Realize About Rape and Sexual Assault | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

What People Don't Realize About Rape and Sexual Assault

Rape and sexual assault are not talked about enough.

95
What People Don't Realize About Rape and Sexual Assault

Very soon, I will be heading off to college and be embarking on new adventures and experiences away from home. Some of these adventures and experiences may lead many of my loved ones to worry about my safety with just reason. Although I am going to an all women school, rape and sexual assault does happen. Across the street from Saint Mary's College is our sister school, the University of Notre Dame. I'm not pointing any fingers towards the Alma Mater that many of my family members have once called home, but because of Notre Dame's high reputation, many women are afraid to tell anyone about their assault.

Lizzy Seeburg, who was a freshman at Saint Mary's College, reported her assault to her school and Notre Dame, but nothing was done to help her. In 2010, she committed suicide because of that assault. Today, there is a memorial for Lizzy Seeburg at Saint Mary's College and many women on campus now support other women who have been assaulted and those who have been assaulted join and unite as one in a club called Take Back the Night. In fact, only 5% of sexual assaults on campuses are reported, making sexual assault the most under reported crime.

If a woman reports any crime against an offender, stereotypical questions are often asked by the police to the woman and make her feel even more guilty than what she may feel about the assault even though none of it is her fault. Some questions that are asked point towards what took place as the woman's fault. For example, a question frequently asked is "Were you wearing immodest clothing?" Most women, when asked this question, are shocked and have to take a moment to really gather in if they were provoking someone to hurt them mentally and physically. Usually, the answer is no. Even if the woman was wearing clothes that may have shown some skin, a man should have the decency to be a gentleman and control himself.

Another question that will be asked in a report is "Were you under the influence?" 38% of men and 34% of women believe that if you were under the influence, the rape or sexual assault was partially your fault. The facts are simple. If you are under the influence, according to the law, you are unable to give consent even if you do say yes. A question that is typically asked that makes it seems like it is the woman's fault is "Were you doing anything that could provoke the behavior of your perpetrator?" No one asks to be raped or assaulted. Previous assailants will defend their case by saying that the way the victim was acting indicated to them that they "wanted them". A woman does not "want" someone unless she says (when she is sober) "yes". One last question that will be asked is, "Did you say stop or no?" When an assault or rape happens, not all women react the same. In the moment, a woman may freeze and are suddenly unable to find their voice or move their body away. It's as if their mind has shut off and is trying to block out what is happening to them. When a woman may tell others about what happened to them, the typical response is "Well, I would slap anyone who tried to do that to me." A response like that may make the victim feel like it is her fault and that she is weak.

To tell anyone about their assault takes a lot of courage for every woman because it is a very personal thing to open up about. What a victim wants is to not be seen or treated as a victim. All the victim may want is to have someone listen to them and to not shove aside what serious feelings that the victim has. An assault will typically leave a victim with psychological problems for a long time and the length of these psychological issues has no length as to when they will be gone. Some of these psychological problems include but are not limited to flashbacks, depression, anxiety, distrust, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts.

If anyone has recently opened up to you about a rape or sexual assault, listen to them and try to encourage them to see a therapist depending on the severity of what they are experiencing. If you, yourself are suffering from the recent trauma of a sexual assault or rape please call The 24 Hour National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673. If you are having suicidal thoughts don't hesitate to call The 24 Hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.

Remember, you are not alone and you are loved.


Sources:

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-s...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/rape-se...

http://deadspin.com/5897809/this-is-what-happens-w...

https://www.rainn.org/effects-sexual-violence

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

193653
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16922
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459374
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27480
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments