“In class we were talking about the seriousness of rape and I asked my teacher about the stats of rape at SSC and she said that there are no records of rape stats at SSC and I was like that’s a problem,” said Brie Yancey during an interview with The Scribe. “My teacher and I talked about it, along with some other students, and we decided to make this event.”
Yancey is a student of Rebecca Padilla’s Human Sexuality class. On April 19, Yancey and some of her fellow students posted up outside of the Student Center in effort to spread awareness about rape, armed with poster boards, t-shirts, and a pledge for students to sign to help make Seminole State rape free.
A t-shirt and a piece of Papa John’s pizza was given to those students who signed the pledge. “I know most of the people came for pizza but I hope they realize the message the important message behind this,” said Yancey.
Statistics show that 90 percent of college girls are raped or sexually assaulted and out of those 90 percent, the girls knew their attacker. “After talking about it in class I learned that eight friends of mine have been raped or sexually assaulted before,” said Yancey.
Rape is the unspoken issue among young women; it happens but nobody wants to talk about it due to the nature of the subject. “We have to learn how to make it stop being uncomfortable and learn how to prevent it,” said Yancey. [pullquote]“It’s hard to talk about but we have to talk about it.”[/pullquote]
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, there is help. Seminole State Counselors are on staff every week day to talk to you at any time. Sexual Assault Victim Services (SAVS) is also available 24-hours a day. SAVS is a certified rape crisis program that works in cooperation with the State Attorney’s Office to provide free and confidential support and advocacy services to sexual assault victims and their loved ones.
Advocacy for all victims of sexual assault, reporting and non-reporting 24-hour Rape Hotline Services for Seminole County (407) 321-RAPE (7273). Both options provide additional counseling sessions free of charge for those that need it.
Stephanie Engel can be reached at Stephanie@theseminolescribe.com