An ear. That’s really all I remember about one of the most painful events in my life. I would like to say that I remember the feel of worn and stained carpeting rubbing up against my spine or the smell of dirt mixed with gasoline, but I only remember an ear.That will forever stand as one of my most vivid memories. I could tell you everything about it; from the way, the cartilage gently curved to meet flesh, to the tiny hairs that sprouted from its outer perimeter like flowers in bloom. And although that ear may be seared into my mind like a branding on cattle, my mouth never dared open to confess what my eyes refused to see.

The Center for Disease Control estimates that one in five women are victims of sexual assault. One in five.Yet, out of this one in five, only 12 percent actually report any abuse to the judicial system and even fewer are prosecuted. Cases upon cases are buried in files with DNA samples that have gone missing, interviews that are deemed “unacceptable for court,” and testimonies from those accused claiming “she’s lying.” There is an obvious injustice that is occurring within society, somehow equating a woman’s claim of sexual abuse with deceit. We are quick to dismiss that rape culture is perpetuated in our “progressive” culture, yet; it seems the judicial system is sewing mouths shut rather than handing them a microphone.

Working at a summer camp for young girls, I have personally heard account after account of sexual abuse and injustice that was spewed through fresh tears and painful sighs. I have seen women unravel as they up heave the bile of traumas past for the first time. What is even more disturbing is that these women entirely lack support systems from their family and friends due to the sheer fact that they have never dared to unpack their torment. To even further paint a sinister mess, society has been built on the screams of innocent women who have been told they are most useful when they are quiet. Perhaps it is the volume of confessions I received or that I that I saw myself reflected in each tear, but I have never been so emotionally shattered as when I acted the part of confident.

Perhaps one of the most infamous sexual abuse cases that largely went unpunished and, frankly, was blatantly ignored, was that of Baylor University’s failure to adequately investigate six claims of sexual assault perpetrated by a football team member. Title IX mandates that all public institutions provide, conduct, and report thorough investigations of all abuse claims made. Of course, Baylor found that rape didn’t nicely align with its Christian values, and rather, chose to take its sweet time in aiding the victims. In fact, when a victim’s mother called academic services to request extensions on final papers she was told, “Sorry. No resources are available. Even "if a plane falls on your daughter, there's nothing we can do to help you."

Well let me be bold enough to assert that most would take the plane. Not only were women ridiculed by the University’s absolute lack of compassion but added insult to injury by allowing the accused player to continue participating in university sports. A rather nice summary of this complete and utter violation of human rights boils down to a public institution actively and knowingly ignoring multiple allegations of sexual abuse and violence. Yet, we wonder why women don’t speak up…

“Because ladies lie.” How often has a variation of this statement been spat from the mouths of men and women alike? Unfortunately, culture has formed an iron curtain, of sorts, shielding any semblance of action to be made on behalf of sexual assault victims. When going to the police claims of abuse quickly turn into a brawl of “he said, she said.” Not only is this highly insulting to victims but it inhibits any progress to made towards prosecution or healing. The harsh truth of the matter is that once upon a time, “Because Ladies Lie” was plastered on the front page of every newspaper in Chicago. A full-length detailed article was disseminated the mass public stating that true rape cases are few and far between due to the feminine nature to tell a little fib. Are. You. Kidding. Me. Well, call me George Washington because I cannot tell a lie when it comes to sexual assault. When a woman says something, anything happened, it is the duty of any responder to take the word seriously and as truth.

Unfortunately, society has stacked a deck so loaded against sexual abuse victims that it is virtually impossible for complete reform to happen anytime soon. That does not mean, however, that we should not try. One in five women. That is your next-door neighbor, your cousin, your best friend, your sister, or your daughter. Every time a woman claims are dismissed or she is silenced, you and I have failed. Yes, you and I. If we are to truly begin to reverse an ingrained rape culture it takes advocates from all side. Whether a victim yourself or a person with a heart, we must be the activist to take to the streets and give voices back to those who have been yelling for so long that their screams have turned into sighs and their tears have all but dried.