How nice to know that within the next 7-10 years you will never have touched me. How devastating to know that 5 of you drugged then raped me after mixing something into my drink while I was using the bathroom. How horrible is it that my best friend, someone I trusted with my whole heart, left me in that house, with no one I knew. It was February 12, 2017 and I was visiting a friend at Bloomsburg University for the weekend. Friday night was a blast, and the beginning on Saturday night was even better. I had no idea that my life was going to change forever just a few short hours later. I was at a Frat party with my friends, enjoying myself, having a drink, and mingling with different people. Before I knew it, I was in an unfamiliar house with 6 guys and my “best friend,” and I needed to use the bathroom. When I came out, a drink was ready for me, and I figured it was safe to drink because my friend was out there while it was being made. About 20 minutes after we arrived, my “friend” told me she needed to leave, and that she’d be right back…. Little did I know she wasn’t planning on returning. She could have saved me. I started to feel dizzy, and out of sorts. I was vulnerable, and left with 6 strangers that I’ve never met before, but my friend had known the one guy. I quickly found myself in a dirty bedroom, surrounded by these strangers who decided they’d take advantage of me. 5 out of 6 guys participated in raping me, while the 6th one watched. I was very out of it at this point, yet “fight or flight” was the only thing keeping me awake. I remember being held down, raped, smacked, beating my head off of the wall, kicking, and screaming as hard as I could. I just wanted out. I’m not sure how long it lasted, and I’m definitely not sure how I got to the couch, which is where I woke up to one of the guys on top of me. As soon as he realized I was awake, he jumped up and ran into the room I was raped in. I heard the sound of guys talking, realized I was in an unfamiliar place, and that my clothes were on- but not in the way they should be (I was missing a shoe and the crotch of my panties were placed on my hip). I ran outside into the pouring down rain and called everyone I knew in Bloomsburg for help. My “best friends” roommate is the one to come and get me, and then I went to the hospital. I had a rape kit, filed a report, and went with the detective to show her the house where my rape occurred. I finally got to go home, a two hour drive, where all I could think about is how my body was taken over by strangers, and how it felt like my heart had fallen out of my chest and was crushed to a billion tiny pieces. It’s been almost a year, and here I am standing tall. I’ve found my passion in life, helping other victims. I want to give back, I want to help, rescue, and support anyone who has been a victim. I recently changed my major to social work, just so I can ensure that I am capable of following my dreams. While the police haven’t been much help, or other resources in my area, I am acting as my own advocate. I share my story whenever I can, I give advice to those in need, and volunteer with a wonderful organization who helps survivors of traumas like mine. I’ve turned an incredibly sad and despicable event into a dream. I AM a survivor!
— Survivor, age 20
Dear survivor,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. As you know, for so many survivors speaking out is really hard. Having survivors like you as an example is so inspiring! Nobody deserves to experience what you went through, but what you are doing with it is incredible. You are going to change the world, one survivor at a time. With love and solidarity, Alissa
Strong. Brave. Beautiful. Three words to describe a survivor. Three words to describe you.