I’m sipping my coffee and reading about Katiana Soenen, who says she was sexually assaulted as a freshman at Brown University in 2021. She struggled to understand what had happened and questioned her own actions, which is just heartbreaking. Soenen spent hours trying to figure out if she had done something wrong, and it wasn’t until a friend told her that what happened wasn’t consensual that she began to realize the truth. Folks, it’s just devastating to think that someone would go through this and then have to deal with the aftermath of trying to report it and get help.
Soenen’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of believing and supporting survivors of sexual assault. She reported the alleged assault to the university about a week later, but initially believed that the university’s systems would protect and support her. However, as the process continued, she lost confidence in their response, calling it a “secondary violation.” It’s just shocking that someone would have to go through this and then feel like they’re not being supported by the people who are supposed to help them.
The Cornell case, which involves a former student named Jane Doe, has raised questions about how the university handled the situation and has sparked a national conversation about sexual assault on college campuses. Doe’s attorney, Thomas P. Giuffra, told CNN that her reaction to the alleged assault was a “textbook reaction to trauma.” Experts say that denial, guilt, self-blame, and shame are common reactions to trauma, and that it’s not uncommon for survivors to struggle with reporting what happened to them.
Soenen’s experiences are a stark reminder of the need for better support systems for survivors of sexual assault. She felt ashamed to ask for help and wondered if she had done something to cause the assault. She even considered getting a sexual assault forensic exam but was overwhelmed and didn’t understand how the process worked. It’s just devastating to think that someone would feel this way and not know where to turn for help.
The story of Jane Doe, the former Cornell student who was allegedly gang-raped at a fraternity house, is also a powerful reminder of the importance of believing and supporting survivors. Doe’s attorney described her reaction to the alleged assault as a “textbook reaction to trauma,” and experts say that it’s not uncommon for survivors to struggle with reporting what happened to them. The fact that Doe considered returning to the fraternity house for a Halloween party and later told investigators that she had not yet processed what had happened to her is a stark reminder of the complexity of trauma and the need for patience and understanding.
Soenen’s journey towards acceptance and recovery is a testament to the strength and resilience of survivors. She eventually reported the second assault and began to undergo intensive treatment, including therapy and counseling. She also became involved in campus sexual violence prevention and now works in sexual assault prevention at the Summer Willis Foundation. It’s just amazing to see someone who has been through so much come out the other side and be able to help others.
In the end, Soenen’s story and the Cornell case are a reminder that there is still so much work to be done to support survivors of sexual assault. We need to create a culture where survivors feel believed and supported, and where they can get the help they need without fear of judgment or retaliation. It’s a big task, but it’s one that we must undertake if we want to create a safer and more just world for everyone. And on that note, I’m going to go refill my coffee cup, because this story has left me feeling sad and frustrated, but also hopeful that we can do better.
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
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