According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network,  sexual assault happens every 98 seconds. The amount of sexual assault has fallen over a half since 1993 but is still relevant today.

As Sexual Assault Awareness month finished up in April, people continue to share their stories.  Jane Doe, a student at North, opens up about her assault. She shares her story to inform and hopefully help others who are stuck in a similar situation.

It all started when the person started showing interest in her. They would try touching her continuously, not taking into consideration how she felt. In class, they would be close to her and continued with unwanted actions. Doe had to ask them to stop multiple times and told them that it made her uncomfortable. They went to give her a hug after apologizing, but reached up her shirt and tried to undo her bra. They would continue trying to go further each time.

“I felt and still sometimes feel disgusted and slightly used that someone would be willing to put someone else in that position to make them feel vulnerable and feel worthless to that extent.”

She was afraid. She felt that she needed to tell someone. Doe decided to tell her family and a few close friends after the fourth time she had been bothered. She thought that the school should also know since Doe had multiple classes with them. She didn’t want to be stuck in the situation anymore. It was getting to be too much and too often.

“I already had felt worthless and I was scared that they would tell me I deserved it possibly.”

Later on, her fright started to quickly change to anger. She told a social worker and guidance counselor about what had happened, to see if there was a possibility to get help. In turn, the counselor notified the school administration. Administration took immediate and appropriate actions.

When she told a few people, she got multiple responses. A lot of questions including what she was wearing and what led up to it. She was asked what she did to try to prevent the situation from going further. Jane felt horrible because the situation wasn’t her fault. No matter what she was wearing, ‘it would have happened anyway’ she said.

Doe understands sexual assault is a sensitive topic. But it is real. She thinks that it really isn’t talked about enough. She believes some people don’t want to believe it because it’s painful to understand. Having conversations about it can help educate and hopefully prevent an assault. Even knowing the definition is important Doe thinks.

“Sexual assault is a real situation and not something that is made up in books.”