Today, Women Scream No

Today, a man by the name of Brock Turner is being released from jail after serving three months for sexually assaulting an unconscious girl behind a dumpster on Stanford's campus.

Today, that girl he assaulted is sitting in her home, knowing that he's back out in the world. Today, that girl is reliving that trauma in her mind, because his name is in the headlines.

Today, the judicial system of America shows its true colors. Today the judicial system believes his trauma of his three months of jail time is sufficient to the trauma that girl went through.

Today, the country is realizing that the victims of sexual assault and rape live through more trauma after the initial incident than during the actual incident. Today, people are realizing that these victims need support from the general public so this man doesn't walk free.

However, today in a classroom, little boys are not being taught about consent. Today, little boys are not being taught that no means no and to respect a woman, because she is a human being.

However, today in a school, little girls are being sent home for violating dress code, because it's distracting the boys. Today, little girls are being taught that they are only seen as a sexual object by doing that.

Today, there's another woman getting assaulted or raped, screaming no, but that man won't stop. Today, that woman's whole life and pysche will change drastically in ways that won't hit her until later.

Today, another man that's up for trial for sexual assault or rape is getting a sentence that is nowhere near the severity it needs to be. Today, that man will not learn his lesson, because jail doesn't teach consent.

Today, I write this as a plea for help as a sexual assault victim. I write this to shed light on how society is not changing this culture; it's perpetuating it. I write this to let you know that you can help change this culture.

Today, I'm done staying silent and feeling guilty. Today, I stand up, not just as a woman, but as a human, and scream for your help, like that woman who was raped did.

But don't ignore this scream as you did ignore that woman screaming no as a man violates her in a dark alleyway. Don't ignore this scream as the judicial system ignores the screams of every sexual assault victim and rape victim in this country.

Just listen and learn from this article. Instead of creating a strict dress code for women, teach men what consent is. Instead of ignoring a scream for help, run and see what you can do to help. Instead of being an observant bystander, be an active one. Instead of staying silent, stand up and shout for justice with the rest of us.

Today, women scream to be treated as a human being. Today women scream,
"enough is enough". Today, women scream, "No" to this abomination of the definition of the word "justice." Today, women scream, "No" to this man walking free.

Don't ignore this "No." Go and help.

Rape Is Not a Joke

First off, readers, I apologize for the month hiatus. It was a busy summer for this now college senior (god I don't like admitting that). Anyway, this post is more centralized towards my college audience, specifically Greek Life people.

I've been back on campus for about two weeks, witnessing the tiny baby freshmen move in to their dorms. I also witnessed and worked the involvement fair, where the swarm of freshies took over the center of Ohio University's campus, actively looking at the hundreds of clubs and organizations that are a part of OU. One particular organization, the Ohio University Student Union, handed out pamphlets that sparked rage and anger that is well deserved.

This pamphlet had a list of tips for freshmen. Some were helpful, like where to buy blue books for exams, to use protection when having sexual intercourse, and certain services on campus that are of great use to students. One, however, was repugnant and horrifying.

On Court Street, there is a blue house that is considered an open house, meaning that anyone can come in on the weekends and party with other bobcats. What the pamphlet published was, "DO NOT go to the blue house, the ACACIA fraternity house across from the BP on Court. They're notorious for bringing their free drinks and raping girls."

A member of Greek life wrote a phenomenal response about how this a huge generalization that has no factual basis. It's based on hearsay. This Greek life member hit the nail on the head.

This has sparked something that people need to know: rape is a serious issue and a horrible accusation to place on a person or an organization. Rape is not something that can be thrown around lightly. This ranges from accusations such as what OUSU made to saying that a test "raped" you.

This needs to stop. Now. Saying that a test "raped" you may sound funny to you at the time, but think about what the word rape means. This test or exam did not physically throw you up against a structure as you scream no, bruise you, cause you to bleed, and made you fall to the ground, feeling like the biggest piece of dung and extremely violated. That test may have been difficult, but it did not rape you.

Words like rape, assault, and other similar trigger words are extremely tender subjects. This needs to end. Rape and assault are not a laughing matter. It's physically traumatic and damages victims emotionally and psychologically. The outlook on the male or female gender will change drastically. Emotional stability becomes nonexistent.

I don't know any other way to say this except that it needs to come to an end. Immediately. It's not a laughing matter.