EACH DAY of my life it seems I learn something new about strength: What it means to possess this quality, to increase it and to share it with others. I learned just a bit more about strength, as well as myself, last Thursday at the Take Back The Night march and candlelight vigil held on the north steps of the Rotunda. Not only was this a wake-up call to my own feelings, but a wake-up call to the fact that sexual assault and abuse is a serious issue, even within Charlottesville city limits. What I also must face is that I, along with many other students, faculty and staff, have not truly done my part or filled my responsibility and contribution to help stop sexual violence.
As I sat with my toes in the grass and a tear rolling down my cheek, I felt a deep sense of sadness. In retrospect, many would sympathize with my feelings of being sorry for the woes, hurts and harms that so many shared that night. I felt sad for survivors, I felt sad for those wronged and I felt sad for myself. How regrettable it is to have not been involved in this cause before last Thursday, but I feel it is better late than never.
In thinking of all the people that would have benefited from being there with me, I realized my own faults for not sharing my passion for this event with others. Even more so, I was hurt that people did not find this of as much importance as I did. I realized this topic is one that deeply affects me, and that doesn't seem to affect enough people until they have had an unfortunate experience.
My sadness and frustration were overwhelming. However, I soon felt something greater as I gazed upon the Rotunda. Someone saw my frustration and leaned over to me, whispering through the darkness, "I'm thankful ... there is power in this." I am grateful that I realized, indeed, that there was power in this.
Even more so, I realized that, though there was a large number in attendance, I was not satisfied because more should have been there. There were too many other people who should have heard the things I heard that evening. The issue of sexual assault simply has not received the attention it clearly deserves. In 2001, there were 33 cases of rape reported to the sexual assault office at the University alone. Some may not think this number is high, but any one person who has suffered sexual abuse is one too many. Not to mention that there are so many more cases that go unreported on a regular basis. What most have failed to realize is people who have survived sexual assault could be our best friends, our little siblings, our cousins, our parents or even ourselves when we do not understand the definition of sexual assault.
What I got at TBTN was real, raw and straight-up truth. Never had I imagined all of the tales of fear and horror. Never could I have believed that so many could have survived. Never would I have thought, until now.
It is time for our community to realize that being apathetic about sexual assault is not the key. This issue is not one for just the individual; it is one that involves everyone. With the "one in four" statistic - that one in every four females will be sexually assualted by the time they graduate college - everyone knows someone who has been sexually assaulted. Now is the time to take this issue seriously. TBTN occurs once a year, but there are multiple actions people can take right now involving this issue.
The University has so many sexual assault resources that are not used to their full potential. The sexual assault education groups on Grounds, such as One-in-Four, Sexual Assault Facts and Education, and the Sexual Assault Resource Agency, are helpful as they provide information and promote awareness. These groups' resources, as well as information for ways that people can help, are extensive. However, these resources are rendered useless unless someone decides to use them. I have realized that true change starts with an individual's decision longer to remain ignorant and to take a stand for serious issues. My own personal first stand against sexual assault occurred at TBTN.
The question of how exactly to solve the problem of sexual assault is definitely one that cannot yet be answered. Undoubtedly, though, we travel at least one step closer to a solution through education, awareness and compassion. So many people fail to be involved with educating themselves about this subject outside of the mandated sexual assault discussions from first year. However, the discussion of this issue should not end there. Cultural change in the way society views people and deals with issues of dominance will be required to remedy this problem. Only when people change their minds will they effectively change their actions. What people must keep in mind is that the change of a culture begins with the chance of just one individual.
At the close of the evening, a speaker asked but one request of those remaining at the vigil. She asked that everyone make a promise to himself or herself to do just one thing to help stop sexual assault in the next year. This column of awareness is my first attempt. I have made a vow to myself that my efforts have only just begun.
(Amey Adkins is a Cavalier Daily viewpoint writer.)
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