I was deeply moved by a movie I saw on TV recently and felt obligated to write about it. My housemates and I watched the television special “When It’s Not A Stranger” concerning acquaintance rape.

Let me tell you, not one of us could go longer than 10 minutes without uttering some comment toward the TV characters or each other. It was a shocking story, full of frustration, yet entirely realistic.

Don’t think it can’t happen you. Acquaintance rape happens all too often, and I don’t think all aspects of it are given enough attention.

The statistics are sickening and scary as well as pessimistic. The fact is that one out of every six women is raped by someone she knows. Worse yet, a study showed that one out of every 15 men admitted to either raping or attempting to rape someone. How many haven’t admitted to it? That sure gives a crowded party a whole new outlook doesn’t it?

The word is out on how to prevent rape. Thankfully, many organizations like the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) are presenting information on how to avoid rape and forsee potentially dangerous situations.

Unfortunately some people just don’t listen, some still haven’t heard the facts and information, and still others will fall victim to a sexual crime regardless of whether they take precautions or not.

I apologize for being so depressing, that is not my intention. In all honesty, my truest intention would be to somehow help stop the horrible abuse going on. So many lives and relationships are destroyed as a result of the trauma received from a sexual crime.

I think that if I could emphasize anything it would be that the pain doesn’t go away after the crime is over, and that’s OK. There are many normal responses that a person encounters after enduring something as devastating as rape. Often times it’s from that point on that the worst pain and problems begin. You have no idea how many different, unrelated facets of your life are affected.

While this period is a time of great stress and trauma, the worst thing you can do is to forget the experience, or repress what happened. If you push the memories away, they only return in other ways at the least desireable moments.

So, ladies and gentlemen, open your eyes. If you’re a victim, please report it. If you don’t do it for youself, do it for someone else who might be the next victim. The fight might be tough, especially if it involves a friend, but if you have been violated you have a right to stand up for yourself. It can give you the opportunity to fight back now for the times you couldn’t fight back before.

I do make it seem much easier than it is, but that’s only for the sake of those who do not understand the gut wrenching emotions involved. Fighting a battle of this nature can seem impossible, but don’t give up. The consequences are far too precious. Loved ones might be shocked, or even pull away at first, but true friends and true love will prevail—eventually they will understand. Many groups on campus offer support specifically for victims of sexual crimes.

We started this crime and only we can stop it. No ALWAYS means no, and don’t ever think any differently.