We've heard them before. We've heard those jokes about rape. We've heard one of the most common sentences spoken to young women when they are alone at night. The sentence that makes my arms quiver as I keep looking behind me.

It's a sentence that women tell their friends again and again and again, "Let me know when you get home."

Until we get that call or text, we wait as our hearts begin to beat rapidly. We wait to hear our phone ring regardless of the time. We wait until we get that text that reads "I'm home" or "I'm okay" or "I'm safe" or whatever else it may be. The period of waiting which comes from the nights we spend knowing our friends are traveling home is dreadful.

You see, what you don't know is the girl sitting across from you in class has been sexually abused. What you don't know is the guy who is quiet has been put through trauma. What you don't know is the girl you thought was "totally fine" was raped by someone who she still has to see every day.

You see, what you don't know is your jokes affect these people.

Your jokes which you think are "so funny" cause these people to remember the horrible moments they endured.

The moments they are afraid to talk about with someone. What you don't know kills someone's peace of mind which they were close to gaining.

Rape jokes are not jokes.

The sentences you jokingly vocalize make the person next to you look back on the day they have sketched in their mind forever. The day they think to never speak about for fear of it happening again. The day which stole peace and safety from the spot it happened. When they walk past the area it happened or sit in the seat where the words were spoken, a chill goes down their back. What you don't know is the life they once had is now gone. Through one or more acts you stole their joy and peace.

Every day, these survivors experience PTSD. They will contemplate suicide. They start the thought of using drugs. Every 98 seconds another person becomes a victim of sexual assault. Few women will report the rape. Every 98 seconds new trauma comes into someone's life. Every 98 seconds a victim loses a part of themselves. Every 98 seconds assault is happening.

We need to stand up for the survivors.

We need to stand up and say no more. Now is the time. This is not something to shrug off. This not something to say "someone else will do it." It is time. Regardless of how identity, speak up. It is no longer a thing of "gender." It is now a rally that continues day in and day out.

What you don't know is the impact of one joke.

One stupid joke that seemed to be so funny when you were with your friends. One joke which happened to destroy someone from the memories they have. What you don't know is the girl walking across your campus was raped last weekend, but she's keeping it to herself due to fear. What you don't know is the guy walking behind you is still traumatized from a first date five years ago.

There is also the #MeToo movement that shows how common sexual assault is. As victims of different ages, races, backgrounds, genders, and lives came forward with the statement, #MeToo, people began to realize. Some made it out to be a joke. While others finally realized how common sexual assault is.

In the time I spent writing this, about 78 people became a victim.

That is 68 too many. 68 men and women will now live with this for the rest of their life. What you don't know is all of those victims may never share their story. Some of them might. Some of them may keep it quiet forever. It is time to be a voice.

If you're going to make a rape joke, well, don't. They have never been cool and they will never be cool.