Sexual assault survivor shares her experience Ashlyn Prater // Reporter
A
Shattering The
silence
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t the age of six, freshman Julia and how proud they were of me. After Rose* became a victim of sexual that, no one in my family spoke of him assault. Ever since, her life has again,” Rose said. “His name and face become a series of twists and turns were completely erased from us all.” most people don’t have to go through. Rose believes it is always the right Friendships, relationships, and trust choice to tell somebody of authority come and go naturally; however, for about sexual assault for the benefit of Rose, these are things that influence themselves and others in the future. her every move, both physically and “Too often do you see victims keep mentally. their mouths shut, and because of this “It took me a very long time so many rape cases are unseen,” to be open to talking about Rose said. “Not only that, but if even the most minor dea rape case is lucky enough to tails with a few very close make it to court, it’s rare that friends, and even that the victim receives justice.” would bring me to tears,” For Rose, getting into Rose said. “It also afa relationship can “The more people fected the amount of be hard, as trust start to speak out, the trust I put into the doesn’t come people I was in easily for her. more awareness we a relationship Years after the can shed on such a with.” initial assault, shadowy, overlooked The attack hapshe was sexupened while her parally abused by subject.” ents went away for a trip. her partner for Family members, who she the second time, thought she could trust, baby causing her to become sat her and her siblings while even more weary than they were away. One day while she she was before. was asleep, one of the men began to “I thought for the longest time touch her in her sleep, which caused that I wasn’t safe with anyone,” Rose her to wake up. While she doesn’t re- said. “I assumed that everyone who member much from the incident, she expressed an interest in me was only would never forget the look on his face interested in using me.” when he learned she was awake. Recently, Rose has found it to become “It took me weeks, but I finally told easier to talk about the assault to othmy mom and she freaked out,” Rose ers, and hopes to help raise awaresaid. “Next thing I remember was my ness for this issue looming over both mom picking me up early from school men and women throughout the United to head to court for a hearing.” States. On the way to court, she recalls how “I have surprisingly been able to get her mother told her not to be scared. If through my entire story with minimal she saw him, her mother told her to not tears,” Rose said. “I was very fortunate say a word to him. When they walked and lucky to make it to court. I want into the courtroom, Rose felt as though the same for others; the more people all eyes were on her. start to speak out, the more awareness “Before I knew it I was in someone’s we can shed on such a shadowy, overoffice, being told how brave I was looked subject.” *Pseudonym
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