Jess Neary
Op-Ed Final
3/21/12
My eyes slowly opened to the sunlight trailing through the half-open curtains of my dorm window. My body ached and felt sluggish. I couldn’t remember how I’d gotten home. But then the feeling of his breath on my neck, the sticky sweat of his body against mine, and my pleading screams to let me go, all came rushing back.
For many women, this scenario isn’t a nightmare, but a terrible reality. On February 10th, two UM students were faced with the same situation at the International Residence housing, and they are not alone with nine other sexual assault cases reported last semester. The two most recent victims stated that they did not know the proper procedures in order to convict their attacker. The correct information about rape should be available to everyone, and the administration failed to give these women an easy and effective way to catch the perpetrator. As a woman on campus, I want to know what to do if I was ever raped and make sure the man who put me through it was punished.
According to the Kaimin, on February 10th, both women were taken to the man's house early that morning and given a drug that did not allow them to move their limbs. One victim only remembered waking up in her dorm the next morning after he tried to kiss her, but the other was awake while the man raped her. She escaped out the window after he fell asleep and the drugs had worn off. The two reported the incidences to Public Safety, who filed the report as an alcohol charge. They stated that they did not have enough information to move forward with a charge on the man. The Dean of Students read the report and spoke to the women a week after the incident. The University moved forward with handling the cases as a possible and actual sexual assault. The community was informed, and only then were the police able to start an investigation. The Dean also informed the “suspect” and his attorney of the allegations. The man fled the country soon after.
So what should have happened? If these situations could have been handled in the proper fashion, what should the victims have done?
The answer is simple: Call 911. If 911 had been the first step, the perpetrator could have been taken into custody within 24 hours, rather than fleeing the country and never being convicted.
According to aaets.org, the site for American Academy for Traumatic Stress, the emergency staff at the hospital would have been able to do a physical examination to solidify evidence of the rape after making the 911 call. This needs to happen as soon as possible before the evidence is lost. Many women feel uncomfortable and ashamed going through the examination, but it’s the only way to have solid case for the police and in court. The examination is supposed to asses physical injuries and evidence for court proceedings. All clothing would be sent to a crime lab for further testing.
In a story by the Kaimin, Mayor Engen stated that, “If you talk to Public Safety, if you talk to an administrator, that’s fine. But call 911.” According to justicewomen.com, a rape victim should “never rely on work, church, union, or housing officials to handle the investigation.” These institutions can possibly damage a criminal investigation and do not have the power or authority to carry out the investigation or have the power to arrest. Another point made was that oftentimes there is a serious conflict of interest that can favor the rapist because the rape had something to do with their institution. The site emphasizes victims to rely on the police and court systems to handle these situations.
After the immediate steps are taken by the hospital and police, the victims should have plenty of emotional support with friends and support groups such as Students Against Sexual Assault (SARC) that is located on campus. Women should never feel as if the attack was their fault or ashamed of what happened; they are the victim of a crime, and should try to do as much as possible to bring justice upon whoever hurt them.
The University should be informed , but only after 911 has been called and the police are informed. Sexual assaults are a serious issues on campuses across the nation, and it does need to be dealt with to better the community and inform public. But the most recent were not handled well. The victims, community, and campus could have felt more at peace after the rapist was arrested but instead are left with perpetrator long gone and a case that might never fully be closed.
In the University’s defense, the aftermath of these incidents has led to a campaign by President Engstrom to gain more awareness of where to go and what to do with sexual assault. The forums held, with discussions by students and members of the community, has helped for future cases that might arise. Unfortunately, this was a reaction because of the lack of guidance for these two victims. But at least it’s something.
In 2008, the U.S. Department of Justice reported 182,000 victims of rape. This does not count those that go unreported, a number even larger because so many cases are not thought of as rape in the first place. It can be someone you know, someone you trust, and suddenly you don’t want to go any further and they make you. That’s called rape. And that’s illegal.
In the future, use common sense. Women should carry a whistle or pepper spray somewhere that is easily accessible whenever they are alone. Use the buddy system. Regardless of gender, students should always let friends know where they are or where they are going. Don’t take drinks from anyone don’t trust. And if something does happen, call 911 as soon as possible and use the support of friends and family to take the necessary steps. The University does need to be aware of what happened, but only after proper officials are informed.
These two victims are still afraid to leave their rooms and are escorted by friends across campus. They are “struck with fear” every time a car the same color as their assailants drives past. I don’t want to feel helpless or alone in any kind of situation whether it is simply walking across campus alone at night or having to deal with the physical and emotional trauma that a rape can cause, I want to be in control of my life and know what to do. Hopefully now, after all of the discussions and hype that has swept through campus with these cases, more women do too.
Works Cited
"Improving Sex Crime Interviews." Women's Justice Center. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <http://justicewomen.com/help_special_rape.html>.
Kato, Dillon. "Rape Suspect Said to Have Fled U.S." Montana Kaimin. 23 Feb. 2012. Web. 10 Mar. 2012. <http://www.montanakaimin.com/news/rape-suspect-said-to-have-fled-u-s-1.2795587>.
"Welcome to the United States Department of Justice." Welcome to the United States Department of Justice. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <http://www.justice.gov/ovw/opa/pr/speeches/2011/ovw-speech-110329.html>.
"What to Do If You're Raped." American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Web. 22 Mar. 2012. <http://www.aaets.org/article118.htm>.
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