Seven years ago on October 17, Morgan Harrington went to a Metallica concert in Charlottesville. Some of you reading this article know how this story ends. I especially remember. I was in seventh grade and was 12 years old while I watched my heartbroken community try to make sense of this tragedy. In 2014, Hannah Graham, a University of Virginia student, went missing from downtown Charlottesville. I still vividly remember the news coverage and conversations I had with family and friends about these girls during the disappearances. I looked into the eyes of both girls in their pictures and saw myself. Morgan was from my hometown. Her father has worked with my father. They both went to popular universities in Virginia where a majority of my friends go. I know that I am not alone when I say that these cases shook me to my core.
After Morgan's disappearance, her family started Help Save The Next Girl, a non-profit organization that helps to educate people and especially women on personal safety. Their goal is to prevent future crimes like the ones seen in Morgan and Hannah's cases in the future. Morgan's case was one of the first to utilize social media to help locate a missing person. So, Help Save The Next Girl continues to use these tactics through their Facebook page, Twitter account, and website. They use these outlets to help locate missing girls across the nation and also to educate people on how to keep themselves safe and prevent violence. They have extended their organization and have chapters at dozens of universities and high schools. They strive to find the missing girls and bring justice to their cases.
This cause has always been one that is close to my heart. However, with recent discussions in the news, I believe that this issue is one that needs to continue to grow in prominence. We have made a lot of progress, but when there are political figures who are perpetuating rape culture and sexual violence, we still have a long way to go. This year is the seventh anniversary of the disappearance and murder of Morgan Harrington. Help Save the Next Girl is stronger than ever and they are continuing to pursue their mission, but it's not something they can do alone. The Help Save The Next Girl website has the steps to follow to start a chapter at your individual school or university. You can follow all of their social media accounts, so that when they report a missing person you can be aware and helpful in the efforts to find them. I believe that it is an important issue to stay on top off. The safety tips they provide may seem obvious, but as a female college student, I know that I sometimes don't remember them. This issue is an important one because these girls were daughters, sisters, and friends. They were girls just like you and I and they could have been any other girls. This is why it's all of our responsibility to Help Save The Next Girl.
To learn more about how the organization has grown over the past seven years watch this video. Hannah and Morgan's cases along with the case of Alexis Murphy's disappearance were featured on CBS's 48 Hours in fall of 2015. To donate to Help Save The Next Girl, click here.
