Many articles and studies have been published regarding how various forms of media have impacted the prevalence of sexual violence. I'm not just talking video games, though they do, empirically, have a significant effect. I am also talking movies, television shows, advertisements, news channels, and social media websites/apps such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. It's hard to deny that these mediums have both positive and negative effects, but what's even harder to dispute is the fact that they are hefty contributors the sexual violence-laden world we are living in today.

At the start of this semester, I had a very skewed view and understanding of sexual violence. Not only was my vision influenced heavily by my criminal justice classes, but it has also been greatly impacted by various forms of media. In particular, the images, videos, and comments that I look at daily on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram have shaped how I think about the prevalence of sexual violence. On television, furthermore, I watch the news and have noticed that the only stories reported are those that involve the most destruction, injury, and danger. While I will admit that I have complained about these news channels only focusing on the worst sexual violence stories, I am kind of glad that they do because it helped me recognize my desire to help people in similar situations and change how the media portrayed their unfortunate realities.

Prior to my Understanding and Treating Sexual Trauma course, which I am taking this semester, I perceived the media as a positive tool for change. I failed to recognize the harm it was doing to children, adolescents, adults, and, most importantly, survivors of sexual violence. The only things I focused on were the uplifting stories of victims, particularly those that involved the perpetrators receiving proper consequences for their actions. I shared stories of people whose family and friends surprised them with a new pet or tickets to their dream travel destination to distract them from the trauma; I shared stories of survivors who were able to successfully fight off their attacker. But what I neglected to do was share the stories of those who were silenced, of those who were brushed under the rug, of those who were forgotten. I focused on all of the positive stories and subconsciously made the assumption that all survivors were as lucky. Now that I have received more background knowledge in my sexual trauma class about sexual assault, the stigmas that surround it, and the effects that sexual trauma can have on a person’s life, I have refocused my attention on social media. I have shared the forgotten stories, wrote articles through Endicott’s Odyssey team to spread awareness, and hosted events on campus to bring attention to the harsh realities of sexual violence.

In addition, I have taken another step toward reaching my goal of helping survivors: I’ve taken action. Before this semester, the hardest decision I have ever had to make was deciding between my top two schools: Endicott and the University of New Haven. UNH had a better program for criminal justice, but Endicott was a better distance from home and required more than one internship. Fortunately, I chose Endicott and chose to add psychology as a second major— this was a choice I was not offered at UNH. Had it not been for my decision to attend Endicott, I would not have had the opportunity to take the path toward helping survivors. Instead, I would be stuck in a major that does not fit my goals and stuck at a school that does not fit my needs. The most recent difficult decision was where to complete my semester-long internship. I knew that this decision has a larger impact on my future and the opportunities I will be given moving forward, so I felt more pressure in choosing. In making this decision, I had many factors to consider and was overwhelmed the same way I was when I was picking between colleges. In the end, I chose to intern at Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC). It was a very welcoming and calm office that was specifically designed to soothe survivors who come in. It felt uplifting and empowering, and the staff members I met were all exceptionally kind. Needless to say, my first impression of the space was superb and I was offered a position on the spot. The action I have taken, then, is committing to helping change lives through my internship. If I had chosen another site, the opportunity to interact with and aid in survivors’ lives would be absent, and if that opportunity were absent from my internship, my purpose would be absent, too.

All of this backstory may seem irrelevant, but truthfully, my interview with HAWC changed how I felt and thought about the role that the media plays in the lives of survivors. The interview was less focused on questions about me and more on the standards HAWC sets for all of its employees. The media can be an especially damaging tool for survivors and their families; it publicizes the most personal and private details about people for the world’s viewing. When I was confronted with this reality, I thought a lot about it and how it couldn’t be true. Were the news channels I watched every night really participating in this? I was hesitant to believe it, but it was true. And the worst part is that perpetrators and predators are the ones who pay the closest attention. The media literally supplies predators with information that may help them locate or target their next victim. Beyond news channels, social media sites sexualize women and advertise their bodies in demeaning ways. When is enough enough?

This class has given me reason to both recognize and do something about sexual violence and the media. It has made me realize that the media so many people follow and become involved in is contributing significantly to the sexualization of women and the abuse they suffer as a result. The media is sending inaccurate and unfair messages to younger generations that and are convincing them that it is normal to see sexual assault and rape reported in the media; it is not news to them anymore. To combat this regularization of sexual violence, I have chosen to make changes. I hope you will too. Make the choice to protect survivors. Make the choice to be more involved. Make the choice to create change.