McNEESE STATE UNIVERSITY
The homes of victims or perpetrators are the most likely location of a rape or sexual assault, according to the DOJ report, which also identifies the summer as the peak season for attacks.
The majority of sexual assault incidents go unreported, partially due to different social stigmas experienced by men and women who are victims of these crimes. Survey results published by RAINN show that about 60% of victims do not go to police, and only 25% of reported assaults actually lead to an arrest. The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) describes other factors that prevent women from reporting attacks, including distrust of authorities and fear of blame.
Men can also be victims. About 10% of sexual assault incidents involve attacks against males according to statistics provided by the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. The support organization, Male Survivor, describes male victims face different types of stigma involving stereotypes of machismo, toughness, and a lack of vulnerability. These societal misconceptions can prevent men from reporting unwanted sexual activity.
But sexual assault is not the only type of relationship abuse. Stalking is the the intentional and repeated following or harassing of another person that would cause a reasonable person to feel alarmed or suffer emotional distress including the uninvited presence of the perpetrator at the person’s workplace, school, or home. Relationship violence includes behaviors used by one person in a relationship to control another. Behaviors can include physical, emotional, verbal, or psychological abuse. Partners may be married or not married, heterosexual, gay, or lesbian, living together, separated, or dating. Persons of any class, culture, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or sex can be victims or perpetrators of relationship violence.
According to surveys from the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCDSV), over 40 percent of college women reported experiencing some form of violent or abusive behavior while dating.
If you’ve identified that your partner exhibits the controlling or aggressive behaviors listed above and you are too afraid to bring these issues up safely within your relationship, it’s time to get help. Victims often realize the dangers of their situation after it’s too late; the dynamic between the abuser and abused is strategically created to discourage the victims to acknowledge or address the problem.
Intimate partner abuse and violence is never okay. It is more common than you may think and it is wholly within your power and your rights to get out safely.
I am a McNeese graduate with a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Science and a concentration in Child and Family Studies. As a student, I competed on the rodeo team and served on the SGA board. I earned my master’s degree in 2022 from the University of South Dakota in Educational Administration and Leadership with a concentration in Adult and Higher Ed. I have over 13 years of experience in adult education and 20 years of educational experience.
My favorite part of being a Freshman Advisor is helping students navigate their new life routine as a college freshman by offering support with in-person office visits or by email to help students meet their goals. I always remind students of my favorite BB King quote – “Education is one thing no one can ever take away from you.” I believe that supporting students is vital to a student's success.
In my spare time, I raise registered American Brahman cattle, and I enjoy all the "country girl" things like hunting, fishing, growing a garden and cooking.