Dear Sexual Assault Victims,
I wanted to let you know something very important. I want to let you know something that seems to be lost when these atrocities happen to you and others. Something that you may not feel in the initial stages of coping what happens to you.
I want you to know that despite the attacks, despite the slander, despite the nameless coward commentaries left on news sites, despite the negativity, despite the conversations, despite the loneliness you may feel, despite it all…
There are people on this campus who support you. There are people that will listen and believe you. They will be the voice for you when you have trouble finding the words. We will defend you. We will empathize and sympathize with you. We will work to stop these injustices from taking place on campus. We will pray for you. We will think about you and what you’re going through and from that will find the inspiration to stand beside you. We will not only be a man or woman for you, but we will be a man or woman with you.
So when you find yourself unsure and attacked know that you have support. Know that when these things happen to you there are people who believe you and will defend your dignity that your offenders violated. When you find yourself unsure to report these incidents because of the swirl of judgment and risk that surrounds that decision… know that we will be here encouraging you and fighting for you.
We love you. We care about you. We support you. We believe in you. We trust you. We stand next to you in solidarity. We will fight for you.
We do all of this, because we believe in the Jesuit Mission at this university. This letter is not for us, but for you, your family and your friends. The ones who endure the brunt of the hardship of what you are going through.
Please never feel discouraged or be afraid. We, unlike those faceless nameless ones who attack you, are willing to put our names and faces out there to hold you up in love. For love is the greatest gift we can offer you as Billikens at a school driven by the Jesuit Mission.
All my love, prayers, and support, Brett.
–Brett DeLaria is a junior in the Department of Education and Public Service
Lauren Araujo • Feb 10, 2011 at 12:01 pm
Couldn’t agree more Brett.