Disclaimer: This article touches on the detrimental effects of rape and sexual assault in our society. This article is mainly geared towards female victims of sexual assault. However, I am not intentionally ignoring the fact that, sadly, some men are also victims of rape and sexual assault. I am merely bringing awareness of rape and sexual assault and the responsibility that we all should bear.
College is supposed to be one of the greatest times of your life. It's filled with new and exciting experiences. You learn so much about yourself. You might fall in love, find the lifelong friends you've always wanted or learn what you want to do for the rest of your life. College is supposed to be happy, fun, exciting and adventurous.
But sometimes, it isn't.
Picture this: You're a fun-loving, sweet, outgoing freshman. Your friends are talking about the big back to school party they can't wait to attend. They beg you to go, and after slight hesitation, you agree to. They would never let you live it down if you didn't go, so to impress them and to let loose before the semester picks up, you say "Yes." You have every right to attend that party. You have every right to have some fun and make the choices and decisions you want. You're supposed to feel safe, but suddenly, you don't. You let your guard down and someone takes advantage of you. You feel like it's your fault, like you could have prevented this unwanted invasion of privacy and respect. So many horrible thoughts flood your mind, but you ask yourself, "Why? Why me?!" over and over again until you can come up with some kind of rational explanation for this tragic occurrence.
Unfortunately, one in every four college-aged women will be sexually assaulted during their time on a college campus.
I wasn't familiar with the It's On Us campaign until I started college. According to the It's On Us website, they clearly express that it's on us "to recognize that non-consensual sex is sexual assault; to identify situations in which sexual assault may occur; to intervene in situations where consent has not or cannot be given; to create an environment in which sexual assault is unacceptable and survivors are supported".
It's on us to know that any kind of sexual contact without consent is sexual assault. It's on us to understand when situations quickly go from "carefree fun" to "dangerous, unhealthy or unwanted" actions. It's on us to stand up for others who cannot stand up for themselves. It's on us to realize that any kind of sexual assault cannot be tolerated. Lastly, it's on us to help, support and love victims and survivors of sexual assault.
Nearly one in four women (23 percent) of women on college campuses experience some form of unwanted sexual contact during their college careers. That is a number that should scare you. How many women are in your sorority? How many women are in your classes? 23 percent is a lot more than you could imagine. You know and love women who have been so broken by someone they possibly knew or trusted or by a stranger who decided that she didn't deserve the respect that you know she does. If that doesn't terrify you and break your heart at the same time, I don't know what else will.
Too many of us think "Someone else will stand up for her," think that she somehow "wants the attention," or think that there is simply nothing we can do to stop sexual assault. We are so wrong.
When will my sorority sisters, best friends, classmates, cousins, fellow women and I stop being victims to rape and sexual assault? When will we feel safe from the fear of becoming a statistic? When will this become too much to bear, too much to keep us from being silent any longer?
I wish I had an answer and a time and date when women will no longer live in danger of sexual assault. I do have the knowledge, power, strength and courage to beg you to stand up for women, no matter what. It's on us: we must never be silent.
If you or someone you know is a victim or survivor of sexual assault, please know you are not alone. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE or go online to www.notalone.gov for resources, help, and assistance.
