A Girl Was Raped In Her Dorm And Missouri State Did Nothing
Start writing a post
Swoon

A Girl Was Raped In Her Dorm And Missouri State Did Nothing

Content trigger warning: Rape/Sexual assault

2704
A Girl Was Raped In Her Dorm And Missouri State Did Nothing
Wikipedia

When you choose a university, you consider a lot of things: cost, distance from home, majors offered, and so on. You never really think about if that university might care about you as a person, not just a source of funding.

On September 1, 2017, a woman who will remain anonymous, was raped in her own Blair-Shannon residence hall room.

After the horrifying assault took place, she spoke to her suitemates and then went to her sorority house and slept in a friend's bed. She was later woken up and taken to the hospital.

As if the event itself wasn't tragic enough, the events that followed compounded the pain.

She did everything she was supposed to. She filed a complaint with the Title IX department on campus, the department that "oversees all issues having to do with sexualized violence, sexual assault, rape, sexual misconduct, dating and domestic violence, sexual harassment, sex discrimination, stalking, and pregnancy rights," according to Missouri State's website. She had a meeting set up with police detectives and met with one later that week to tell her story.

But the results? For both, nothing. Nothing happened. Although there was proof that the rape happened, she says, there was "no proof it wasn't consensual."

Because apparently filing a report that she was raped in her own residence hall bedroom wasn't a clear indicator that she didn't consent to the sex.

"But I'm not sure how I, or anyone else, is supposed to prove consent in a situation like this," she said. "Do they think I planned to lose my virginity like that? It makes absolutely no sense and it's just absurd."

The #TimesUp movement on Twitter has been making waves in outing sexual predators and removing the stigma that gets attached to women who are victims of these horrible attacks. However, it still seems that we have a lot of work to do, even in the place we call home.

Since nothing came of the reports, the only reason anyone has any knowledge of this incident is that the victim's friend called out Missouri State University on Twitter, accusing them of doing nothing.


Missouri State's Twitter account replied to many tweets in response, saying things such as "Title IX investigates every report of sexual assault, this one included. The university does not tolerate sexual assault," and "Title IX conducted a thorough investigation, as it does with every sexual assault case, and has offered support for the student."

But for the victim, she doesn't feel like that "offered support" was anything at all.

"I just wish I could be able to speak into the lives of other young women going through similar things and tell them that they should speak up because it gets better, but speaking up did nothing for me. I just want someone to believe us when we say we've been hurt."

Time is up. Something needs to be done.

Report this Content
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

55397
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35687
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957727
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

185572
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments