Spring Break
Vigil held for victims of sexual assault
Binta L. Dixon
Issue date: 9/30/08 Section: News
Thursday, Sept. 25, in the multi-purpose room of the Student Health Center, students, staff and sexual assault prevention advocates gathered to remember those who perished in the face of sexual assault in a vigil titled, "The Other Side of Silence."
"The most important thing for the victim to know is that it is not their fault," said Sue Molhan, Victim Advocate Services coordinator for ECU.
Many victims feel that because they were drinking when assaulted, they cannot report the assault, and more pointedly that intoxication makes them responsible for the attack. This is commonly called "victim blaming," and is the main cause of many unreported sexual assaults.
Sherra' McMillan, a victim advocate and doctorate student in the counseling and rehabilitation program at ECU, spoke about her assault six years prior.
Sherra' is involved in many programs designed to bring awareness concerning sexual assault, including the Take Back the Night march held earlier last week.
She stressed the importance of speaking out about assault and putting a spot light on the problem of sexual assault, saying that she felt the issue is often times swept under the rug. She also commented that it was crucial for her to have a support system during such a difficult time.
Sexual assault can put victims at high risk for depression, drug use and suicide; therefore victims are highly encouraged to seek help after their trauma.
Her twin sister, Shawnte' McMillan, a health educator at ECU and organizer of the sexual assault vigil, was Sherra's support when learning to cope with the assault.
"This vigil will give a face to sexual assault," said Shawnte' McMillan.
She also added that the purpose of the vigil was not only to remember those who have been lost but also to reach out to the public in different avenues such as poetry and music.
One in six women will be a victim of sexual assault, and college-age women are at an increasingly high risk, according to information from the vigil. Therefore, awareness is a key component in preventing sexual assault.
"The vigil will help people not only get tested, but to come forward after sexual assault," said student Katlin Barrett, who helped plan the event.
According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network; 60 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to police.
In addition to speeches made by Sue Molhan and Sherra' McMillan, a ceremony was performed as a tribute to lost victims, as well as a selection from ECU's Gospel Choir.
The event highlighted the seriousness of sexual assault on ECU's campus and throughout the world.
If you or anyone you know has been sexually assaulted, there is help. Contact ECU's Victim Advocate, Student Health Services (SHS) or call 911.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
"The most important thing for the victim to know is that it is not their fault," said Sue Molhan, Victim Advocate Services coordinator for ECU.
Many victims feel that because they were drinking when assaulted, they cannot report the assault, and more pointedly that intoxication makes them responsible for the attack. This is commonly called "victim blaming," and is the main cause of many unreported sexual assaults.
Sherra' McMillan, a victim advocate and doctorate student in the counseling and rehabilitation program at ECU, spoke about her assault six years prior.
Sherra' is involved in many programs designed to bring awareness concerning sexual assault, including the Take Back the Night march held earlier last week.
She stressed the importance of speaking out about assault and putting a spot light on the problem of sexual assault, saying that she felt the issue is often times swept under the rug. She also commented that it was crucial for her to have a support system during such a difficult time.
Sexual assault can put victims at high risk for depression, drug use and suicide; therefore victims are highly encouraged to seek help after their trauma.
Her twin sister, Shawnte' McMillan, a health educator at ECU and organizer of the sexual assault vigil, was Sherra's support when learning to cope with the assault.
"This vigil will give a face to sexual assault," said Shawnte' McMillan.
She also added that the purpose of the vigil was not only to remember those who have been lost but also to reach out to the public in different avenues such as poetry and music.
One in six women will be a victim of sexual assault, and college-age women are at an increasingly high risk, according to information from the vigil. Therefore, awareness is a key component in preventing sexual assault.
"The vigil will help people not only get tested, but to come forward after sexual assault," said student Katlin Barrett, who helped plan the event.
According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network; 60 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to police.
In addition to speeches made by Sue Molhan and Sherra' McMillan, a ceremony was performed as a tribute to lost victims, as well as a selection from ECU's Gospel Choir.
The event highlighted the seriousness of sexual assault on ECU's campus and throughout the world.
If you or anyone you know has been sexually assaulted, there is help. Contact ECU's Victim Advocate, Student Health Services (SHS) or call 911.
This writer can be contacted at news@theeastcarolinian.com.
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