Ask Glory Unplugged-The Boogeyman You Know
Just like the MTV Unplugged Artists series, occasionally it’s nice to get more of the story behind the story.
I originally wrote this article in late October 2006 for my column, Pillow Talk in The Student Printz because I was, and still am concerned that sexual assault, molestation and rape is not given the amount of exposure it needs to reach the people who need to know…everyone. I’ve read my fair share of sexual assault awareness articles but too many of them seemed dry and detached. In writing this article, I aimed to bring the issue closer to the heart of my readers.
Instead, what happened was that thousands of issues of the Printz were removed from the stands and thrown into dumpsters. Several young women from a particular sorority were rumored to be the culprits. I think there was something about four of the young women being filmed by a security camera while committing the crime.
There were two popular theories for the theft. The most obvious, but in my opinion rather dubious theory was that the women of USM were disgusted with my most recent article (“The Boogeyman You Know”) and were ridding the campus of this scourge called Pillow Talk.
The other popular theory concerned an article about college students who were participating in a Playboy model drive. It would seem that one of the potential models was from a sorority in question and she told the reporter she was from that sorority. In reaction to the sorority in question having their reputation besmirched in print members of the local chapter systematically went about campus taking all available copies of the issue. I don’t know if the women who were identified on the tape ever said why they took all those issues of the Printz.
Perhaps I should have offered to speak at their next sorority meeting…
With love,
-Glory
The Boogeyman You Know
By Glory Fink
You may know someone who has been assaulted and not even know it.
The reason I mention this is because every two and half minutes someone in the US is sexually assaulted. Sexual assault covers a whole myriad of awful, hateful, loathsome, shocking, vile, vulgar, sexual things to someone who does not want to do anything of a sexual nature with the predator.
Two-thirds of all sexual assaults are done by someone the victim knows. Yes, friends do it, relatives do it, trusted authority figures do it, the most unlikely people we may know have been known to do it. It is not just the boogeyman hiding in the bushes. No, it may just be a neighbor you invite to dinner.
So, if someone doesn’t respect your boundaries, especially the ones that are important, then don’t expect them to respect your “No!” when you say it to them, yell it at them, and finally scream it at the top of your lungs.
There is no band-aid for this problem. Be careful, be cautious.
Did you know that about 90 percent of all rapes are not reported because the victim is too embarrassed or intimated? This means 90 percent of all sexual predators are successful because they chose their victims well. Predators not only physically violate victims; they successfully mentally intimidate them to the point of silence. Guess what, if they did it once they will do it again all because their last victim was silent.
If you or someone you know is sexually assaulted get help immediately. Here are some sources:
The USM Health Clinic is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 4:30 p.m. on Friday or phone at 601-266-5390. The staff is trained to respect and dignify your medical visit. After hours, go to a late hour clinic or emergency room.
The Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention is a local service that offers excellent support and counseling to victims, their friends and family. The Shafer Center has a 24/7 crisis line you call toll free within 55 miles of Hattiesburg at 601-264-7777.
Another source is the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network operates this hotline and is currently testing a new online hotline at their website at www.rainn.org.
The best way to get back at a predator/criminal is to break the silence they cause in their victim.
Be strong, be loud, get help.
Comments, suggestions and feedback are always appreciated. Send your emails to glory@askglory.com with “Attention: Glory” in the subject line.
