A hard lesson
Students raise sexual-assault awareness
Amanda Rose
Issue date: 4/30/09 Section: Front Page
Julie Allison, director for SAVE and MVP, says that sitting on the rock could never compare to being the victim of sexual assault.
"We know that those who have experienced rape and/or sexual assault face physical and emotional consequences following the trauma," Allison said. "While we are not, in any way, trying to suggest that sitting on a rock for one week is the same as experiencing the consequences of rape, it is one way to show support, as sitting on a rock for one week is physically uncomfortable."
Taylor also explained that victims often feel alone and exposed.
"As a rape victim, you feel different, like everyone knows and they are staring at you. You feel this way on the rock, too, because the passing students stare," Taylor said.
While sitting on the rock, Taylor said that they get a lot of curious looks.
"After people have been camped out on the rock for a couple of days, students start to get curious and ask us why we are doing this," Taylor said. "That is where the awareness part comes in."
Ogle says that she doesn't get bored during her shifts.
"There is never a dull moment," Ogle said. "It's really easy to stay occupied with all the conversations going on and people walking around campus. We play games at night and there are always other members of the organization there with you."
Taylor says that the rock is used for more than awareness.
"Hanging out on the rock can be a fun time as well as an educational tool," Taylor said. "If you walk through campus at 3 a.m., you might even catch us playing hide-and-go-seek or freeze tag. It is always a good time."
"We know that those who have experienced rape and/or sexual assault face physical and emotional consequences following the trauma," Allison said. "While we are not, in any way, trying to suggest that sitting on a rock for one week is the same as experiencing the consequences of rape, it is one way to show support, as sitting on a rock for one week is physically uncomfortable."
Taylor also explained that victims often feel alone and exposed.
"As a rape victim, you feel different, like everyone knows and they are staring at you. You feel this way on the rock, too, because the passing students stare," Taylor said.
While sitting on the rock, Taylor said that they get a lot of curious looks.
"After people have been camped out on the rock for a couple of days, students start to get curious and ask us why we are doing this," Taylor said. "That is where the awareness part comes in."
Ogle says that she doesn't get bored during her shifts.
"There is never a dull moment," Ogle said. "It's really easy to stay occupied with all the conversations going on and people walking around campus. We play games at night and there are always other members of the organization there with you."
Taylor says that the rock is used for more than awareness.
"Hanging out on the rock can be a fun time as well as an educational tool," Taylor said. "If you walk through campus at 3 a.m., you might even catch us playing hide-and-go-seek or freeze tag. It is always a good time."
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