Sexual Assault and Rape Can Happen to Anyone

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Beginning college can either be a terrifying experience or a start to an amazing journey for someone. Those hesitant to begin college have their own reasons for the emotions. That doubt may be caused by the independence from guardian supervision, financial expectancies, or for females in all grades, sexual assault. Sexual assault occurs on college campuses and university throughout the nation; however, light is not shined upon this dilemma to the public as often as it should be. Since the founding days of such schools, sexual violence has taken place, but the colleges deny the allegations they are faced with. Sexual assault is being made to engage in any type of sexual activity against that person's will, even if sexual intercourse does not occur. Rape is being forced to have sex against that person’s will. Sexual assault is a crime that can happen to anyone. No matter who the victim is, they should never be blamed nor shamed by others. No one wants to be raped, but victims are commonly blamed for the assault. The one raped is not only a victim, but is a survivor (Kaminker, 1998). According to a study conducted by the U.S. Justice Department, more than 95 percent of sexually assaulted students remain silent; the percentage for the general public is much smaller (Carter, 2014). Sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, or sexual orientation.Although legal definitions vary from state to state, sexual assault is a general term for any type of sexual activity that occurs without consent. Such behavior that defines sexual assault is: unwanted touching or kissing, sexual contact with someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and unable to give an informed "yes" or "no", or rape. Not every sexual ... ... middle of paper ... ...ker and see to his prosecution. Her attacker was eventually caught and sentenced to prison but, not surprisingly, finding closure wasn't easy for Sebold. "In my world, I saw violence everywhere," she later wrote. "It was not a song or a dream or a plot point." (Sebold, 1999) Sexual assault has nothing to do with attraction, desire, or passion, but for the feeling of power and control over another individual, anger, and the want to hurt another (Kaminker, 1998). The rape epidemic sweeping the nation’s colleges needs to be examined more thoroughly. The colleges that deny acting upon accusations need to be scrutinized for their actions. Every sexual assault case needs to be examined with justice, care, and respect of the victims. Prosecution levels of the accused needs to be increased, to where no man/woman has the right to commit the crime, but can get away with it.

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