Raped at Tufts: One Year Later.
I notice that my domain registrar keeps giving me reminders that I need to reregister for another year to be able to blog under this name for another year. It prompted me to think about what has happened to me since Tufts “deliberate indifference” to my rape. I must say that not much has changed.
I think this is the problem when a bunch of people so removed from student life-so removed from MY life-decide whether I am worthy or not. At the end of the day their lives move forward and continue while mine had remained at a standstill.
What can be the rests of a horrible sexual assault policy and inadequately trained administrators? Let my life serve as an example. I feel the effects of others’ decisions-an individual’s decision to rape me and a group of Tufts employees decisions to not care- every single day. Every where I am suffering, every way I am oppressed is because of these people. Note the following example, which all seem to be related:
Academic opportunities- I can’t afford to go to school. No one will give me the money to go to school since I don’t go to Tufts anymore
Financial situation- since I had spent my entire life in school, I can’t compete widgets unemployed, more experienced, more educated applicants to jobs. A year of applying to so many jobs- in a wide range of fields from retail to nonprofit proves fruitless. And surprise! Lack of a job= no loan to go to school or pay out of pocket.
Mental and physical health- no health insurance because I 1) don’t have a job, 2) am not in school, and 3) can’t afford to buy a plan. So this leaves a traumatized rape victim with severely limited access to mental health services. Did I mention the additional trauma I experienced thanks to Tufts ignoring my rape report?
What do we have at the end of the day? The feelings of a survivor who was abandoned & retraumatized. I can’t escape the thoughts and feelings related to my rape thanks to the lack of a comprehensive sexual assault policy at Tufts University. There are serious, LIFE CHANGING consequences as a result of an indifferent, just defensive administration.
All I can say is thanks for the FIRST HAND lesson on the intersectionality of oppressions that can happen when you’re a poor woman of colour who was raped. It’s a lesson I rather would have learned another way.
Thank you for speaking out. A rape crisis center might be able to put you in touch with a counseling center that takes VOCA funds when, and if, that sounds/feels right for you.
Sadly the Rape Crisis Center is not very good in my area. I had reached out to them for help and they basically never returned my repeated calls. They are very understaffed.
I am so sorry that this has happened to you. I admire you taking a stand for yourself and all women at Tufts. Hang in there; it will get better. Have you thought about a career in social work – you'd be a natural. Your voice is needed and important. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I am a therapist and survivor of abuse. I'm writing a book on the holistic treatment of trauma. You can visit my blog where I post articles on PTSD and other things called http://www.insightouthealing.com. You might consider getting some acupuncture, or other holistic therapies. A lot of the schools offer low to no fee clinics. And several counselors in the Boston area do pro bono work. You could call the local NASW (National Association of Social Workers) office to get some ideas. All best wishes for you and your important work. Sue Pease Banitt, LCSW Portland, Oregon
thank you for the kind words!