"The following contains graphic content that may be emotionally unsettling but reflects the reality of what is happening daily on college campuses". These words open Lady Gaga's new video, "Till It Happens To You", and beautifully reflect the heart of the video. It shows four girls who have their lives turned upside down by sexual assault. The video is set place in college, where many rapes take place globally. If you have not seen the video, it can be watched here.
The video shows the horror of sexual assault in college. It can happen to anyone, anywhere. These girls all appear different, long hair short hair, different skin tones. But their abusers don't discriminate. They are raped in their dorm rooms, and even in their dorm bathroom. Imagine what it would be like to be afraid to shower, a right that everyone should have. Imagine the horror of trying to get others to understand, let alone relate to their trauma. Gaga's lyrics are haunting and show a victims fear of trusting , as she sings, "what do you know?"
The truth is, I don't know much. I've never been in a victim's shoes. Even though I have been in scary situations and I've known victims, I have never been in their place and I cannot imagine all the trauma they go through. I can read about it, hear about it, and watch videos like this, but I will never be able to imagine it. Even so, I still want to do my part to help those who have lived this nightmare. No one should ever have to go through that, feel worthless, alone, and unable to love their self.
Everyone handles the news of rape differently. But the best thing to do is to be there for the victim. Gaga's video shows how the girls dealt with life after the assault, most of them being reclusive and depressed, one girl even leaves college. How dare abusers take away a girls college life? College should be a time for fun, not a time to experience the darkest moment of your life. Yes, this is a video, but it shows what happens everyday to innocent women.
The end of the video says "One in five college women will be sexually assaulted this year unless something changes". This would mean that at my school of 9,755 people, 1,112 girls would be victims, and that is extremely unsettling.
I think this video shows that as humans, we need to take care of one another. Talk to your friends, show them you care, you never know what they are going through. Don't let your friend be in a dangerous situation. But if it does happen, to your friend, family member or yourself, be brave. The only way to change the awful statistics, is to be the change. Be like the friends in the video, listen, hear, and offer compassion. And if the victim happens to be you, please, please, please find the strength to seek help. That is the only way to recover and to prevent others from experiencing your horror.
Lady Gaga is incredibly strong for bringing this subject to light, especially since she too was raped at the young age of 19. You don't have to be a fan of her music to feel moved by her actions. This cause is close to her heart, and for that she will be donating portions of sales from the single, to victims of sexual assault.
We need to feel uncomfortable. We need to talk about terrible things, in order to end them. Rape is an ugly thing, but it is very real. College should be a safe place. Please be there for others and know that others are there for you. Help make your campus a safe place for everyone.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual assault, please call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline; 800.656.HOPE or visit the homepage for Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network.
