Sexual Assault: The Silent Epidemic On College Campuses (& How We're Fighting Back)

“I knew him. We had been seeing each other for about a month. This was not the first time we had sex, but I knew something was different. We were at a party. We were fighting about his ex-girlfriend. I told him I didn't want to spend the night with him. I packed my things. He was screaming obscenities and cursing at me.  As my hand grasped the door handle, his mood suddenly changed. He was so sweet and sincere. He apologized. I realize now that he was not used to being told 'no.’ I decided to stay because he told me it would be embarrassing for him if I left. I went straight to bed and told him I just wanted to sleep. A few moments later I felt him tearing at my clothes. I told him to stop, but he only responded by kissing me. I told him no, and his response was to press his hand over my mouth. I felt my shorts come off. I remember the pain. I was crying. He kept forcing himself and finally, his body tensed and relaxed. He rolled off me and threw my shorts back at me. Through my tears I remember him saying, ‘Good night.’ I knew him.” -  Age 21, Philadelphia

 According to a 2008 study seeking to bring attention to the data collected on sexual assault, the overall rate of sexual assault for women in the United States is one-in-five. This means that 20 percent of women have been, or will be, sexually assaulted during their lifetime.
 
However, according to a recent sexual experiences survey given to about 400 women from a small liberal arts college, unpublished data indicated that more than 40 percent of the women had experienced rape, attempted rape, or unwanted sexual touching during their four years on campus, although only 20 percent actually reported being sexually assaulted.