On Monday April 11, 2016 the sisters of Sigma Sigma Sigma and the brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon came together to host an event for Sexual Assault Awareness. These two organizations are working hard to raise awareness of sexual assaults that happen on college campuses. Kristen Schertel, a sister of Sigma Sigma Sigma, was in charge of the event along with Josh Friedman of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Schertel explained to me why she put together this event: “It is something that personally affected me and I have a passion for bringing the awareness of the issue to college campuses.” This is such a great thing to hear from an active student at Stockton University. Sexual assault needs to be discussed and people need to be aware that it happens on every campus.
The video It Happened Here, is very powerful and well worth the watch. This film brings to light things that go on at different campuses that could (or possibly do) happen at our own and without us knowing it. The stories the girls told were different in many ways but also very similar; they were heart-wrenching stories about being raped. For most girls, rape is committed by someone they know, a close friend. This is one of the most common things that no one teaches girls. Rape does not just happen in an alley by a group of guys or by one guy that you don’t know. For many on a college campus it happens by someone you already know. This is important to remember for your years throughout school and after. The issue in this film is that colleges do not take it seriously and often blame the victim of the rape. Do not let this discourage you, if you are raped reach out and tell someone. This is so important. The girls in this film are helping raise awareness and change the world as it is so that others do not have to go through what they went through when they did reach out. I can say that I know personally , the people who never told a single soul that they were raped still have problems coping with it. It is like a type of PTSD. It haunts you and does not get any easier. The feeling after seeing the person who raped you around on campus or at the store brings in waves of uneasiness, and makes you feel sick to your stomach. The girls in this film said exactly that.
Within the film there are many things that are said that either aggravate or disgust some as it is watched. It’s good to have those feelings; it shows that you know that what is being said is not right and that is a step closer to where we need to be as a society when it comes to rape. There are recordings of the saying “No means yes, yes means anal” being chanted outside of the women’s freshman dorms. This fills me with disgust, as I know it does to others. The quote itself infringes on the rights of all women. There were adults who blatantly blame college girls for being raped for what they wear, or for drinking alcohol just like the males do. It’s scary to think that no matter what there is always victim shaming when it comes to a rape case. It is time that more people become aware of what is going on within the awareness of sexual assault. Most people are afraid to tell authorities about their assault, this means most rapes go unheard of. This does not help the fight against it. It is difficult and takes courage but do not let society stop you from telling your story and seeking justice for what happened. I believe out of the many messages that this film brought me, that was one of the most important ones.
I know I do not go into great detail on the film; I want you to watch it for yourself. Reading about it is one thing, but hearing the stories, hearing what is being done and what has happened is completely different. So please if there is anything that I can ask of you is to watch the film and get the experience for yourself.
I also understand that I focused on female victims, I am not ignoring the fact that men get raped as well. Women can rape men and men can rape men and it is apparent today, however It Happened Here does not focus on that; the main focus was on the female victims since it is still a huge problem today. Just know that rape of any kind, shape or form is not okay and it should be reported. Sexual Assault Awareness is important year round not just in the month of April. Keep the awareness going throughout the year.
I want to thank Sigma Sigma Sigma and Sigma Alpha Epsilon for showing this film and raising awareness about sexual assault. Showing this film made a difference in someone’s life if not every person’s life that watched the film. I also want to thank these two wonderful organizations for setting up a table that same Monday and having students pledge against sexual assault. I know that I stopped by to sign a pledge and was so happy to see how many people did so before me!