“I wish I had reported it,” Kathlyn said referring to the assault that forever changed her perception of love, relationships and men.
Millions have muttered that same phrase after their bodies had been violated – sometimes unknowingly every time unwillingly – through the destructive action of sexual assault.
Wanting to only be known as Kathlyn, she gave intimate details about her assault during Monday’s Take Back the Night program.
The program, along with a series of others being held on campus during the month of April, is a part of national Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Elizabeth Pellegrine, president of the Starkville chapter of the National Organization for Women, said that the event was both emotional and informative.
“I really felt that Take Back the Night was a powerful event,” Pellegrine said. “The two people who spoke that were victims of assault showed an amazing amount of courage.”
Kathlyn’s encounter came at the hands of an acquaintance that picked her up following a night of heavy drinking. Upon returning to his place, Kathlyn was sexually assaulted and said she did not know what to do.
“I told my roommate the very next day because I knew she would not judge me,” she said. “I really regret not going to the police because I thought I was the only one.”
Beatrice Tatem, director of Student Counseling Services, said Kathlyn’s assumption is a mistake made by most sexual assault victims.
“So many people think they will be the only person who will be assaulted by a particular person,” Tatem said. “If someone does this to another person, it is more than likely they will do it again.”
Tatem said while no one asks to be assaulted, students often place themselves in a situation where sexual misconduct can take place.
“I want to tell men and women to try not to walk around with their arms full at night and by themselves,” she said. “We get so caught in the world around us and don’t think anything can happen to us. Follow your gut, and please use the escorts here on campus to walk you to your destination late at night.”
In addition to using the free escort service on campus, Tatem said it is important to learn about any possible dating candidates and always check their background with mutual friends.
“You should always let the person who you’re going on the date with know that other people know where you are and know what time you should be returning home,” Tatem said.
In order to raise awareness about sexual assault, a blue jean drive took place on campus yesterday as a part of the nationally recognized Denim Day.
Named for an Italian court case claiming a female could not be raped if she wore tight jeans, the event collected denim pants to donate to the Rape Crisis Center in Columbus.
The final sexual assault awareness event will feature a documentary titled “NO! A Documentary of Rape” Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. in McCool Hall’s Taylor Auditorium.
Pellegrine said the independently-produced film shows African Americans who are victims of sexual assault over an 11-year period.
“The documentary will also show how sexual violence is used against women,” she said. “As a society, we look at sexual assault as a stigma, which is why it goes under reported so often.”
If sexually assaulted, students can contact Student Counseling Services at 325-2091. All counseling is free to those who are eligible, and full confidentiality applies unless imminent danger exists.