“Shellshocked” (PTSD)

Many believe that rape is only a serious problem in third world countries, among the “uncivilized”, not in “proper” countries like the United States…

However, in the United States every 2 minutes someone is sexually assaulted…

The resulting emotional turmoil, labeled PTSD, can last a lifetime, completely altering the mindset of the victim…

Imagine walking down the street alone at night, feeling unsafe and afraid. Imagine feeling that if “something” were to happen, you would be unable to protect yourself. For millions of women in America this is a reality. The constant threat of rape and sexual assault is incredibly damaging to a woman’s mental health…

The commonplace nature of sexual assault creates a damaging stigma, which deprives victims of any help, mental or otherwise. Due to the stigma of rape, rape victims with PTSD seldom seek or attain the help and support they require…

The results of PTSD are severe, and symptoms include recurrent, involuntary and intrusive memories… Traumatic nightmares… Flashbacks… Prolonged distress… Physiologic reactivity… Feelings of Depression and isolation…

The stigma of rape is the reason that 60% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police…

Coming forward about sexual assault only results in judgment by others, which is why many suffering from PTSD do not get the treatment they need, and their loved ones don’t understand why they are acting differently…

Made obvious in the famous Stubenville rape case, where two high school football players raped an incapacitated drunk girl…

The girl was judged harshly for ruining these boys promising football futures, even receiving threats unless she dropped the charges…

The media never even talked about the victim, only the rapists, treating them as if they were the victims…

Why would anyone come forward if they are the one’s who are hurt by accusations?

This is why 97% of rapists won’t spend a single day in jail…

But together we can change the stigma surrounding rape, we can help with the emotional anguish felt by rape survivors, YOU can be this difference, YOU can change lives…

Begin by never joking about rape, don’t use it as a verb in every day conversation, rape should mean sexual violence and that is it…

Rape is never the victims fault, no matter what they were wearing, where they were, or who they were with, rape is caused by the rapist and the rapist only…

These changes will result in an environment where people aren’t afraid to come forward after they have been raped, it will result in further prosecution of rapists, and less judgment of rape survivors…

So be the change, only YOU can start a movement, only YOU can remove the stigma that society has created…

By Tucker Bedard & Hannah Vignone Ms. Kirkpatrick Period G 10/25/14