TO THE EDITOR:
UNC’s new policy on sexual assault facilitates the reporting process for survivors, but does little to end the stigma of reporting.
A 2010 National Institute of Justice study concluded only about one-third of rapes, attempted rapes or sexual assaults are reported . In most sexual assaults, the perpetrator is someone the survivor already knows and trusts . Following an assault, it is common for other people to blame the survivor. This gives many survivors the feeling of detachment from their communities.
Survivors of sexual assault often feel a lack of control. Speak Out! allows survivors to share their experiences, either at the event or anonymously through the blog speakoutunc.blogspot.com.
This can help them to feel in control of other aspects of their lives. Sharing these stories with the larger UNC population can help survivors feel connected, but also works to educate UNC about the various forms sexual assault can take, along with other forms of interpersonal violence.
It is important for survivors to know they are believed and heard. Project Dinah is hosting Speak Out! Against Sexual and Interpersonal Violence, an event to promote awareness of sexual assault and interpersonal violence by sharing those stories. Members will read the testimonials out loud in the Pit on Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. As a community, we can work to end sexual assault on our campus and give survivors a supportive space.
Anne Zhou
Junior
Public Relations Chairwoman of Project Dinah
