Pictured Above: “I would like to encourage survivors to trust that there is an entire community that is on your side and supporting you through your recovery,” Sexual Assault Survivors Support President Mary Ann Sokolowski wrote. Sokolowski is a junior forensic studies and justice major.
Courtesy of Mary Ann Sokolowski
By Mary Ann Sokolowski
In recent weeks on social media, we have seen an outpour of allegations regarding sexual assault and rape that have occurred at our university.
As a survivor myself, I know how debilitating it is to try and put words together that really capture the gravity of the situation. It’s even more nerve-racking when you fear that nobody will believe you, or wonder if your story will ever be taken seriously.
I have seen news sources, primarily those associated with our university, try and cover these stories. My problem with this is that no matter how many times we read these tragedies, nothing seems to be done.
Our leaders don’t know where to start or how to approach such a difficult scenario without tripping over their own feet. It almost seems as if something is being hidden from the students and our community. We have seen our student leaders come under fire for these allegations as well, but what we have not seen is their statements.
I need the accused to know that your silence is haunting. How can I put faith in people who ignore that they might have hurt someone? Sexual assault and rape are not like any other crimes. These crimes don’t stop after you get your satisfaction, they aren’t left at the scene of the crime. The trauma will follow these survivors for the rest of their lives and impact every aspect of their future. So I want to ask the accused: why are you staying silent? If you truly believe you are innocent, I need you to examine how you interact with others and how you got to where you are now.
I would like to encourage survivors to trust that there is an entire community that is on your side and supporting you through your recovery. More than anything, I want justice for you, but that must be on your terms. Whether it’s going to the police or seeking help outside of the judicial system, know that you have options.
I am not going to claim that I am an expert and know every avenue that is available to you, but I am here to help find whatever you are looking for.
Back in May, Sexual Assault Survivors Support started a petition to hold our administration accountable to take action. This petition called on the university to implement Title IX policy changes that uphold civil rights. All of these cases coming forward will be subject to these new changes that dangle justice in front of survivors as an out-of-reach goal. It’s almost impossible with this policy to hold our school accountable, which explains why they are maintaining a deafening silence.
I am calling on my student leaders to start questioning our administrators. I would never choose to attend a university that I didn’t feel would have my best interest in mind when seeking further education. The safety, sanity, and prosperity of students should be their number one priority. I chose to attend this university because of the overwhelming inclusivity and diversity amongst students, what I did not sign up for is to see my peers beg for humanity from those who hold positions of power.
I will not stay silent.
I’ve made my mistakes of waiting for others to make the first move, but I refuse to continue shying away from those who need help being heard.
