I really don't even know how to begin this. I debated on whether or not I truly wanted to write an article because there is so much that I can say. There are things in this letter that I have not yet confided in people that I am about to make public, but with certain events that have come into the light, I know that I can no longer keep my feelings in the dark. On June 3, 2016, I was raped and was sexually assaulted on August 10, 2017. This article is not centered around these events, and I do not say this to gain sympathy. I tell you this for any survivors out there, I want you to know that I understand what you have gone through; I empathize with you. Neither happened on Butler's campus so I do not expect Butler's administration to care, but I want them to understand that I am personally hurt by how they are handling sexual assault cases and that to victims and survivors everywhere, it is a slap in the face. The mishandling of each case that comes your way is unjust to past, current, and future victims and enables the perpetrators.
Butler University, I first want to start off by articulating how truly disgusted I am with this establishment. A university that I once held so much pride in I can now say that I am ashamed and embarrassed to go to. The community of C.A.R.E is a concept that is stressed at this school on a consistent basis. I see our student body abiding by this philosophy, but when it comes to our administration, they only care about profit and their reputation. How hypocritical. They do not care about the students who attend this institution, and they have made that clear within this past year. And as someone who once loved their school, it is truly quite hurtful and upsetting to see such a shift from care to greed. With the sudden resignation of our victim advocate, Sara Minor, one can only assume it was coerced. Sara is an individual who truly cared for each of the students and wanted what was best for them no matter what. Not only has she made a lasting impact on my life but on hundreds of other students, as well. She was here for many reasons. One was so that she could advocate for victims of sexual violence and guide them through the lengthy and intimidating process of filing a report. The other was so that the administration could take her advice, as a professional, into account when forming new policies about sexual assault. But this establishment is too prideful to ask for help when needed, so rather than humbling yourself when your "30-day plan of action" was called out, which was a pitiful excuse for change, you got rid of her to save your asses. So congratulations, Butler. You have won this round of "Who Has the Most Prestige and Power?" Tune in next time to see which faculty member will "resign" when they stand up to Butler's unjust policies. Without her on Butler's campus next year, I am genuinely afraid that no one will be there to stand up for the rights of the student body. Butler, you have messed up big time, and you will pay for your mistakes.
It is evident that you have been hiding from the student body. You refuse to acknowledge any tweets, emails, or direct messages that have come your way. If you have shown us anything this past week, it is that you are cowards. No direct statement or apologies have been made. I have had multiple friends that have gone through this dreadful Title XI process, some which have taken months, well over the 60 days that it is said to take. Many have tried to go directly to administrators to inform them on how this process is long, emotionally draining, and re-victimizing, all of which are met with HR cut-and-paste emails apologizing about their incidents but never with changes. Where is the change, Butler? You want victims to come forward, and you want rapists behind bars? No, you want victims to be silenced and to pretend as though none of this has ever happened so that none of this catches word in the media. As a bulldog, I always wanted to think that "My university was different." But you aren't. You are just the same as every other university in the United States that covers up rape. Shame on you, Butler, shame on you.
You have started a war, Butler, and just know that from us students, we will fight back and are not going to stop until we get the justice that we deserve. You started this, but we will end it. Saying sorry will not suffice this time; we demand change.
A survivor demanding change
