An Open Letter to the Men and Women of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln,
You are worthwhile.
You are important.
You matter.
When I was in high school, I visited campus for the first time. I walked around imagining myself sitting next to the fountain by the Union, playing intramurals at the Vine Street Fields, and cheering on the Huskers at Memorial Stadium. I was overcome with giddiness at the amount of freedom I would have and how much fun college was going to be.
As a senior in high school, I fell in love with the idea of freedom that UNL's campus gave me. Once I arrived as a freshman, I fell in love with campus for different reasons. It became a place where I met new people and built new friendships. It was where I could learn about things that I wanted to learn about. It was the place where everyone was wearing red and chanting, "Go Big Red!" It was home.
The thought of being sexually assaulted on campus never crossed my mind.
Just as quickly as I fell in love with it, UNL's campus became a scary place that I wanted to run away from.
According to the UNLPD, there have been 14 reported sexual assaults at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this school year. However, most cases aren't reported. One in four women are sexually assaulted and one in 33 men are sexually assaulted according the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.
I am one of them. I am a statistic.
I am one of the women who is scared to walk alone once the sun goes down. I am one of the women who has nightmares every night. I am one of the women who is struggling with balancing my course load, my extra-curricular activities, and my broken spirit.
I am among the college students who have been assaulted on a campus that they fell in love with. I'm among the men and women who feel scared. I'm among the thousands of students nationwide who are told not to talk about their experience. I am one of the billions of survivors in the world who isn't supported.
I don't feel the same happiness on campus that I did last year. I don't feel at home. I don't feel safe.
There has been a national spotlight on the issue of sexual assaults on college campuses nationwide and unfortunately, our university is no stranger to the problem.
Campus officials and university police officers preach that most sexual assaults occur when alcohol is involved and the perpetrator is usually someone that we know. They will refer to us as victims and they won't use the word rape. If we're lucky, they will tell us that they support us.
So, let me tell you. Let me make sure that you know you are supported. I believe you. I am here for you. I don't believe that you are a victim, rather a survivor. You are strong and you will make it through this.
Let me also tell you to fight like hell. Fight like you've never fought before. Make sure that your voice is heard because everything you have to say is important. It matters. You are worthwhile.
