According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 1 in 5 women will be raped at some point in their lives. That is 20 percent of all women. Now, that may not seem like a big number. However, let’s multiply that number by the amount of women on earth right now. There are 3.52 billion women. Multiply that number by .2 and you get 704,000,000. That is seven hundred and four million women getting raped in their lifetime. That number is terrifying.
Here is another terrifying statistic. Coming from the NSVRC, “More than 90% of sexual assault victims on college campuses do not report the assault” (NSVRC). Wow. I don’t know about you, but this frightens me. To think there are so many of our classmates, friends, and sisters who are walking around campus as victims of this terrible crime is absolutely devastating. To think that some of these people never feel comfortable enough to come forward, is even more scary. U.S. campuses have become a place where the resources and outlets are provided, but it is almost as if it is looked down upon to utilize these resources . When we begin to speak up and tell those who have been affected that they are no longer alone, that is when the change begins. When we, as students, change societies viewpoints, new acceptance has come.
As a college freshman, I have many friends going to big and small universities. There has become a deepening wound in each colleges foundation as more and more young women and men become victims of sexual abuse and rape. With alcohol and drugs thrown into the mix, there tends to be a handful of excuses that attempt to justify these actions.
Also from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, it is reported that “rape is the most under-reported crime; 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to police”. Rape has become something no one wants to talk about or discuss. Some rape victims are so scarred by the events that they do not feel comfortable talking openly about them, which is completely understandable. Others, however, want to speak up but do not believe their voice will truly be heard.
This is written from a college students point of view. I am not a victim of sexual abuse or rape, I am simply someone who cares deeply about this subject. This is also not meant to be a political diatribe, for this issue transcends any specific administration. This is about people being motivated to make a change in this world, no matter how small.
These statistics should cause us to at least attempt to make a change on our campuses. However, our culture seems to be turning away from these subjects now more than ever.
We risk becoming too idle when it comes to issues such as sexual assault and rape in college. In our culture today, rape and sexual assault victims are left to testify for themselves.
There is a problem, not only in our secular culture on campus, but also within the church.
I have grown up going to church all of my life. There have been plenty of sermons on healing, sin, marriage, purity, etc. However, sexual assault and rape are dark topics that are too “risky” for the church to speak to.
I would like to comment on this issue because I feel very passionate about this. There is a reason Jesus died for all of us. It was so we ALL could be set free and feel his unconditional love.
“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”
Luke 15:7
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
How can we truly talk about God’s incredible light when we shy away from the darkness He has come to break through?
Why on earth have we decided that sexual assault and rape and any other violent act on campus for that matter is something taboo?
In my microeconomics class we talked about brands. Yes, brands. However, we discussed the ultimate brand. The cross. We choose to represent christianly with a torture device.
Why would we do that?
Because through that device, darkness was overtaken and the whole history of man kind was overturned. The savior conquered the same darkness no one wants to talk about.
We need to become a society that openly talks about the dark subjects. The ones we are afraid of most. Because if we do not begin to do so, those suffering will have no where to turn and will keep their mouths closed, because what is the point of opening them if they are going to be seen as overdramatic and as a liar? By coming together, we can speak up on our campuses and bring to light this dark issue.
What gospel are we preaching if we don’t take matters such as these into our own hands and into the hands of the only one who can heal, redeem, save, and sanctify?
We need to encourage the church to step out of its own comfort zone and not be fearful of preaching on those topics.
I think it is so easy for churches in todays culture to focus inwardly. Churches focus on what their building looks like, what needs upgrading, what new technology is out their, and so on. When in reality, there is One church. We might get people into the building using those tactics. But we will never get them to stay. We need to become a culture that says, “Hey, it is NOT okay. No, you are NOT lying. I believe you. I will stand with you.”
Our churches must become more for the people, instead of the building they stand in. It is vital that we become a community of people who are not afraid to talk about difficult topics in the church and outside the church. Jesus came to save and seek the lost. Healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do. Jesus needs us to be lights in the dark world. But that doesn’t mean ignoring the darkness that is all around us. It means reaching into the darkest areas of life and shining our lights. Recognizing that there is darkness in this world, people will struggle and go through the darkest of times, but it is how we define our light that allows it to illuminate in even the darkest of places.
People who go to church and people who are not religious, we have a battle to fight and now is the time.
We must raise our voices for those who are to afraid to raise theirs. We need to stop pretending it is the new “norm”, because it is not, and it will never be.
It will never be too late.
For those who have been sexually abused or raped, I would like to be the first to apologize for some of our communities failure to recognize your voices and your cries. What was done to you was far beyond what I can even comprehend. Physically, yes, but also mentally and emotionally. Let me tell you this. Just because they made you feel worthless, does not make you any less valuable. You are forever loved and adored. You are priceless and bought with a price. You are beautiful and no man can ever take that away from you.
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”
Proverbs 31:25
We will break the silence that our country has tried so desperately to maintain. We will fight for justice. We will overcome on all fronts because you are not alone. You will never fight alone. No matter what college you may or may not attend, this is an epidemic and it must be stopped.
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
References:
Statistics About Sexual Violence. (2015). Retrieved March 30, 2017, from http://www.nsvrc.org/sites/default/files/publications_nsvrc_factsheet_media-packet_statistics-about-sexual-violence_0.pdf
Lifeline 