I've heard of rape before. Something that is forced, unwanted and extremely volatile. Something that is evil. Something that steals from an individual where that possession of a sound mind may never be returned. Something that I still don't understand possesses men and women to commit, and something that I fear will happen to me or someone I know. I've learned about it at school, seen educational videos on how to combat it, but never have I heard of an instance where there was a bystander and that bystander actually did something.

What happened to that woman in Stanford is by far atrocious, that is something we all can agree on. There are many things that are unique about her case. Her assaulter trying to convince the world that he's a "benevolent" student, swimmer and, by a long shot, person, a father who compares rape to "action," an extremely courageous, well-spoken victim who shines inspiration to millions of men and women and lastly, the two men who saved this woman, Swedish graduate students on bicycles.

When I first read this story, and more importantly the victim's eloquently written impact statement that has been recently released, I felt more than devastated. This was an ordinary woman. She has a family like I do, a boyfriend like I do, a University like I do and a soul like any of us. But I was drawn to something in particular -- the only glimmer of hope that lingered on during her tale -- those two men who saved her. They did something. They acted. They cared.

I couldn't be more thankful to know that out of all the pessimism coming out of America's mouth for the past year or so, this act of two gentlemen on bicycles told me that we are doing something right. That if I or my best friend is assaulted and someone sees it, they hopefully realize that it's wrong and they do something about it. That if I'm not able to speak for myself in a time of crisis, someone hopefully will. That if I'm not able to protect myself, I can hopefully depend on humanity to be my protector. I use hopefully because none of this is guaranteed. With 40 percent of rapes going unreported and the chances of being raped while enrolled in college are one in five, I'm not sure what the chances are of my tragedy coming to an end are by a bystander, but I know that they don't sound too good.

This story coming from Stanford should set an example for any college student, and really anyone, who witnesses rape to end it. This country needs more Swedish dudes on bikes. We need more people to look in the face of evil and say, "No, you don't get to win today." Because after it ends, the pain still exists. This rape victim, like several others, still have to relive that nightmare and still have to continue living with the memory of what someone took from them. What the helpful bystander does is give that victim a reason to still believe that good people are out there looking after them. It shows them that they are not to blame and that they were not in the wrong. It shows them that someone else sees the injustice and recognizes right from wrong -- unlike the perpetrator.

Speaking directly to the two men who saved the Stanford victim: Thank you. Thank you as a woman, a citizen and as a student. Your actions are undoubtedly valiant and, in my eyes, will never be forgotten. We will probably never meet, but know that I am one of your biggest fans. Your mothers did an amazing job raising you, and I can only hope that your actions of bravery inspire so many when they encounter any sexual assault. Because of you both, I now know that not all heroes wear capes, but that they can ride bicycles instead.