One of my favorite quotes is from a book regarding a woman who had been assaulted.
"Until I learned to accept I was a victim, but I didn't have to stay one."
This quote is relevant to so many women, even men, in this period of time. Sexual assault and domestic violence are, unfortunately, prevalent in society today. One specific thing that stands out to me right now is the case against Stanford swimmer, Brock Turner. The woman wrote and published such an empowering letter to her attacker. Here is part of that powerful letter the victim
The victim's description encompasses what many rape victims feel. That feeling of being completely out of control and questioning what happened to them the day of their crime. It's very upsetting and frustrating to know that some other individual can cause so much turmoil to someone else.
I hope a couple things for the future. One being that sexual assault will one day not be an issue. I hope that, through cases like this, people are able to understand the severity of consequence the "victim" holds. That there needs to be more of an urge to help the people who cannot help themselves; an urge to fight the people who take away a person’s ability to consent; an urge to actively punish the people who ignore a person denied consent. There needs to be an urge to educate people on the dangers of sexual assault on college campuses, because that is where it is most potent. Not only to educate women on how to defend themselves if necessary, but to educate men in order for there to be no defending at all. Not to blame alcohol for poor decisions. To punish those who have done wrong, even if they are all American swimmers at an ivy league college.
To make a change so that no one has to feel like they are not in charge of their own body.
As a sister of Alpha Chi Omega, I stand up for those who consider themselves victims. And I help so that they know they do not have to stay one. To me the word victim stands for so much less than what these people truly deserve. Yes, they happen to be the victim of a terrible horrible crime, but they are so strong, and capable beings that have overcome such a tragic incident. They are survivors.
