The other day I was lamenting the lack of quality opinion columns in the Free Press this year, but after reading Jason Borbet’s column I could not help but praise it (A loss of innocence means a wide range of decisions” April 5).
Thank you, Mr. Borbet, for tackling the difficult subject of sexual assault with quite an accurate and sympathetic portrayal of a victim. I hope people ponder the issues your piece raises and use the insight gained not only to prevent further incidents, but also to help the victims they know.
According to the U.S. Justice Department, as reported by the Clothesline Project, one woman is raped every minute somewhere in the United States. Men frequently perpetrate such crimes, but they can be victims, too. College students are frequent victims of sexual assault, attempted or realized, but victims range in age from babies to the elderly. Although alcohol can be involved in rape cases, and parties are common situations where victims and attackers meet, rape can happen anywhere, with or without substance abuse. Many victims know their attackers, but strangers attack as well; rape even occurs in established relationships.
Survivors of sexual assault are far more common and sexual assault far more devastating than most people think. As Mr. Borbet illustrates, rape victims undergo a variety of conflicting, strong emotions during and after the event. They often need to reach out to others, but they don’t want to be doubted, scolded, or judged; they are already being crushed by waves of self-guilt. Could they have done something to prevent the crime? Maybe, but there comes a point when the attacker is the only one who decides if the assault will proceed or not. Could they have kicked and screamed? Most people in such a traumatic situation go into a state of shock, often characterized by the dissociation Mr. Borbet mentions. The psyche can’t think of another way to deal.
Rape survivors want someone to listen, respect their privacy and help them retake control of their lives. The aftermath of sexual assault doesn’t go away in a few weeks, months or even years, so survivors need constant support. They are struggling to figure out how to deal with people again. Their trust in humanity has been damaged or even lost. People should not criticize victims or force them to do something they don’t want.
People can show their support for victims of sexual assault by wearing a light blue ribbon in the style of the red AIDS or pink breast cancer ribbons and by being there for survivors. Sexual assault is so unpleasant, and no one wants to bring up, but people must be aware of it because it affects so many. For his courage, I thank Jason Borbet.
Katherine Lochbrunner CAS ’02
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