When parents send their kids away to college they are looking foward to phonecalls of good grades and times shared amongst new friends not a call from the local police department that their child has been a victim of Campus Rape. Many times we hear of horrible stories how young girls are taken advantage of in the one place they thought they were safe.
In a new video by well known Pop Star Lady Gaga she brings forth the darkness of the campus rape epidemic. It was recorded for The Hunting Ground, a 2015 documentary about rape on campus grounds all around the U.S. The video dropped on Friday, September 18th. It was directed by ‘Twilights’ very own Catherine Hardwicke. The video is shown in black and white potraying three different incidents of rape at familiar college campuses and the impact it had on the victims.
Until it happens to you an individual will never be able to fathom the effects of being raped. Being raped is a violation of ones privacy, dignity, and their human rights. There is no guarnatee that the person vicitmized will ever be their old self again. Even after years of seeking the appropriate help the scars on the outside may heal but the wounds will forever remain internal.
We are exposed to celebrities and their lavish lifestyle, the hate crimes the killings all day via social media but what about those that suffer in silence in fear of being shunned away? This is why it is admirable of Lady Gaga to bring light to this epidemic especially after being a victim of rape herself when she was 19 years old. In an interview last year with Howard Stern she shares her story and how it did not affect her at that moment. It wasnt until a few years later when it hit her hard and all she could think to herself was ‘Push Through’.
It’s unfortunate that these victims are not getting the necessary help and support that is needed to assist them in moving forward. Statistics shows 1 out of every 5 women will be assaulted at some point throughout her college years. Often times campus officials are reluctant on prosecuting the accused abuser. This is one of the reasons why most victims both men and women stay in silence; out of fear their claims will go unwarranted. If you have been a victim or know someone that has been a victim of rape, do not stay quiet, tell someone, speak up, LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
For anyone that has experienced sexual exploitation, selling sex or trading sex to survive you can seek FREE CONFIDENTIAL help at ‘The Institute For Family Health’ Purple Clinic. You do NOT need health insurance. The office is located at 16 East 16th Street, NY, NY, 10003 Phone: 212-206-5200 Dr. Anita Ravi. Call to schedule an appointment Sundays 12-5pm, WALK-INS ARE WELCOMED!
