Colleges are one of the top places that a student will learn to live their life. You can be from small town U.S.A., the big city or from abroad.
Universities are a place of learning and sometimes even a place to party.
But while they are these types of things, there is a small group that comes to college to try and move on from a bad experience.
This section of the student body is one that needs to be watched carefully. Some can be harmless, while others are dangerous.
There are categories these people fall under that can be broken down into three colors: red, yellow and green.
The dangerous kind are the Reds that can and will use your own feelings against you. They make you feel like they are socially inept.
My experience with one was in 2012. It started on September 1 and went until the breaking point on September 4. My near rape left me doubting my ability to judge people and their character.
The type of Red I ran into was a sexual abuser with potential to be a rapist. He had my friends and I thinking he was a southern gentleman with culture shock.
The night that he was sexually suggestive to me, I found out he had stalked three other girls from my school and had tried to rape one of my friends.
My friend didn’t believe anything would be done with only one incident, so she didn’t report her attack. When she found out what had happened to me and the other girls, we went together to the proper authorities.
My friend is the perfect example as to why so many rapes go unreported.
According to rainn.org, over 60% of rapes go unreported and 97% of offenders go unpunished.
In my case, statistics were wrong. I reported my attack and the person who attempted to hurt me was caught and expelled.
No one should ever be afraid to report an assault to the police. They are there to help you, especially if you can bring forth other victims.
A rape can occur anywhere, not just to females, but to males as well.
My attack occurred in Arkansas, but even now that I moved back to Louisiana, I sometimes still feel mentally thrown back into my attack.
Since then, I’ve started reaching out to others that were raped or nearly raped.
The one question that I keep asking myself is the same question these girls and guys have asked themselves as well; “was my attack my fault and what could I have done differently?”
The answer to my first question, and for every victim of assault, is no. You are not the one at fault.
For the second question, that is up to the person that was attacked.
To help you figure that out, you can talk to counselors or write about it. Whatever you do, don’t keep it bottled up inside. If you do, the pain and the questions will never allow you to have closure.
Communication also helps, not just for you, but also for friends that may have been attacked and are afraid to speak.
Listen to names and ask questions. If something sounds off, then call for help.
There are also places on campus that can help you with getting over your trauma and keeping your confidence, should you wish to talk.
The Counseling Center, located in the Student Health and Counseling Center, is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Students may schedule an appointment by calling 318-342-5220.
Just remember that, no matter what anyone tells you, you are the victim and your attack was not your fault. If you can’t believe that now, it’s only a matter of time until you can heal enough to believe. Until then, find a ray of light and hold on tight.
