An Account of Sexual Assault at Amherst College
Issue   |   Wed, 10/17/2012 - 00:07

TRIGGER WARNING: This content deals with an account of sexual assault and may be triggering to some people.

When you’re being raped time does not stop. Time does not speed up and jump ahead like it does when you are with friends. Instead, time becomes your nemesis; it slows to such an excruciating pace that every second becomes an hour, every minute a year, and the rape becomes a lifetime.

On May 25, 2011, I was raped by an acquaintance in Crossett Dormitory on Amherst College campus.

Some nights I can still hear the sounds of his roommates on the other side of the door, unknowingly talking and joking as I was held down; it is far from a pleasant wakeup call.

I had always fancied myself a strong, no-nonsense woman, whose intense independence was cultivated by seventeen harrowing years of emotional abuse in my backwoods home. May 25th temporarily shattered that self-image and left me feeling like the broken victim that I had never wanted to be.

Everything I had believed myself to be was gone in 30 minutes.

I did not report the rape after it occurred. Almost immediately after the rape I flew off to California, got lost in the beauty of the redwoods, the phenomenal art, and meeting the most unique people I’d ever beheld.

I blocked the rape from my mind and tried to convince myself that it hadn’t happened; that it couldn’t have happened. But there was no denying the facts.

One week before I was supposed to fly back East, everything rushed over and consumed me. My memory had been restored and I wasn’t sure how I would be able to hold myself together for that year, let alone for the upcoming three years.

When I returned to Amherst for my sophomore year, I designed a simple plan of attack for surviving: Business as usual combined with a new mantra I will NOT cry.

First semester passed relatively well, there were rocky times, but I kept it together. I masked fear with smiles. I mastered the art of avoiding prying questions. I drowned myself in work and extracurricular activities in order to hide my personal pain. I was unnervingly good at playing the role of well-adjusted sophomore.

It was inevitable though that this masquerade would become too overwhelming and that my façade would shatter.

In February twisted fate decided that I had to work with him on a fundraiser. E-mails. Stopping me in the gym and at the dining hall. Smirks. Winks. Pats on my back. It was all too much.

My masquerade was over.

I broke down and for the next several months, he won.

I spent most of my spring semester an emotional wreck. I saw his face everywhere I went. I heard his voice mocking me in my own head. I imagined new rapists hiding behind every shower curtain and potted plant. I bandaged the situation by throwing myself into more work and by resolutely refusing to acknowledge that I was anything but well adjusted.

Eventually I reached a dangerously low point, and, in my despondency, began going to the campus’ sexual assault counselor. In short I was told: No you can’t change dorms, there are too many students right now. Pressing charges would be useless, he’s about to graduate, there’s not much we can do. Are you SURE it was rape? It might have just been a bad hookup…You should forgive and forget.

How are you supposed to forget the worst night of your life?

I didn’t know what to do any more. For four months I continued wandering around campus, distancing from my friends, and going to counseling center. I was continuously told that I had to forgive him, that I was crazy for being scared on campus, and that there was nothing that could be done. They told me: We can report your rape as a statistic, you know for records, but I don’t recommend that you go through a disciplinary hearing. It would be you, a faculty advisor of your choice, him, and a faculty advisor of his choice in a room where you would be trying to prove that he raped you. You have no physical evidence, it wouldn’t get you very far to do this.

Hours locked in a room with him and being called a liar about being raped? No thank you, I could barely handle seeing him from the opposite end of campus; I knew I couldn’t handle that level of negativity.

When May rolled around, everything finally came to a head. My “Anniversary” was coming up and all of the terror that I had intermittently felt that year became one giant ball of horror that filled my life. He was still out there. He could get to me again. If I told anyone he would find out and do it again. No, no, no, no, no.

For my independent studies photography course I produced a series of 20 self-portraits representing myself before, during, and after the rape.

I showed them to my classmates. Their words stung like hornets: You look funny…I don’t get it, why are you so upset?

I went to the counseling center, as they always tell you to do, and spoke about how genuinely sad I was at Amherst, how much I wanted to leave, and how scared I was on a daily basis. “I should just drink darkroom developer or something…”

Twenty minutes later campus police was escorting me into an ambulance. They were even less understanding: There’s something seriously wrong with you; you’re not healthy and normal right now. No, you can’t say no. You HAVE to go, but don’t worry, you won’t have to be there too long. This is for your own good. Amherst cares about you and wants you to get better.

On May 5th I entered Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Emergency Room. Three hours after sitting curled up and terrified on a hospital bed I was admitted into the Psychiatric Ward for depression and suicidal thoughts. The doctor was skeptical to say the least: I really don’t think that a school like Amherst would allow you to be raped. And why didn’t you tell anybody? That just doesn’t make any sense...Your anger and sadness right now seem unfounded and irrational, someone your age should not be this sad—it’s not normal. We’ll be admitting you in a few minutes, they’ll take good care of you. They’ll get you some drugs and they’ll make you feel happy again…If you don’t willingly enter we’ll have a judge issue a court order legally forcing you to stay there. Trust us, this is for your own good.

So much for not having to stay.

The Psychiatric Ward was a lovely place: the top floor of the hospital, bare white walls, Spartan furnishings, and two stainless steel locked doors at either end of the corridor making sure that anyone who goes in, stays in. Doctors and Nurse Practitioners wondered around the bare hallways checking in on myself and my fellow patients—every fifteen minutes they recorded where we were, what we were doing, and whether we looked happy. In the morning we were given our drugs; if you didn’t take them you would have to be there longer. It was in our best interest to take them, so they told us.

During the day we discussed our thoughts and feelings, our inhibitions, our strengths, but more often than not we did nothing.

When you’re forced to sit and think about yourself for hours on end, you go through four stages of existence.

Stage 1: Hysteria—Characterized by denying that anything is wrong, “I’m perfectly fine” and “I don’t belong here,” are common phrases during this stage.
Stage 2: Numb and Ornery—You have finally realized that something is wrong with you, but you are overwhelmed and confused about how to go about fixing your problem. You therefore decide not to do anything.
Stage 3: Determination—You realize that the only way you’re allowed to leave the Ward is if you “get better” and “solve your problems.” Every fiber of your being thus goes into these two tasks.
Stage 4: Enlightenment—Everything falls into place. Your mind is no longer an oppressive hell and it begins to function again. The outside world no longer seems so daunting.

You are then permitted to leave.

My Enlightenment occurred when I least expected it. Four days into the Ward, I was sitting in on an introductory Substance Abuse and Mental Health Rehabilitation meeting since there was absolutely nothing better to do. To start us off, the meeting leader decided to have everyone go around and talk about why we were on the Ward. We went around the circle: hours in rehab, drug relapses, alcoholism, abusive boyfriends, being an abusive boyfriend, and escapism from the stresses of daily life. The stories weren’t the superficial accounts that you read in a person’s medical file; they were real life. Every problem, every ounce of frustration, every personal tick was laid bare that evening. And everyone was open, not proud, just blunt and sincere; the desire to improve their lives was palpable.

Over the past four days, I had yet to touch upon “what I was in for,” my story was a mystery to everyone around me.

As my fellow patients went around the circle it all suddenly clicked. I realized why I never spoke about the rape, why I had refused to tell my school friends, why I had totally broken down, why I had steadily degenerated over the past few months. I was ashamed, and because of this shame I could not begin healing.

“Silence has the rusty taste of shame,” a fellow survivor once wrote.

I had been far too silent, far too ashamed.

That night I told them everything.

For the first time I told my story and I was not ashamed.

Later that night, as I lay in bed—still in an adrenaline induced state of wakefulness—I heard my roommate whisper my name, and then, a question.

“Are you still awake?”

“Yes.”

“Thought so…”

A long pause. She’d been in the meeting.

What was she thinking? What would she say?

“I just wanted to tell you, I…I know how it feels. My uncle raped me when I was 15. The police never arrested him. Rape “wasn’t their top priority.” It still hurts…You’re incredibly brave to talk about it…I rarely do.”

She was 42 years old.

I did not sleep. That night I realized that from then on I could not stay silent—if not for myself, then for my roommate.

I had reached the apex of Stage 4.

I decided that once I was released I would continue with my plans to study abroad that upcoming semester; I would be rejuvenated when I returned to campus in the winter, ready to take on the world and fight for survivor rights.

I would be strong again.

From the moment I woke, this plan hit one pitfall after another; a domino effect of roadblocks that continued for the next three months.

I sat at breakfast in bright spirits, attempting to carry on a conversation with a manic depressive woman who rarely talked. I was so genuinely happy that her lack of responses didn’t even bother me—I just talked at her.

In the middle of my stimulating conversation my harried looking social worker suddenly strode into the dining room and headed purposefully over to me.

She looked grim and angry. “They’re trying to prevent you from going back.”

I was shocked.

She began rattling off the Administration’s policy regarding students released from psychiatric care. In order for students to be allowed back they had to have parental supervision while on campus in order to make sure that the student did not relapse into substance abuse again (the most common reason for student admittance into the Ward). This meant that a parent would stay in a hotel near campus and would then follow their child around for two weeks until the “all clear” period was reached. “And since you don’t have parents…”

She trailed off awkwardly and began to resolutely examine the upper left-hand corner of the dining room.

I must have been speechless for a good minute as a bizarre series of emotions plowed me over.

Shock to incredulity, back to shock, to sadness to anger, back to shock again, then back to sadness, and then an overwhelming amount of shame and embarrassment settled over me. I’m not worthy of even going back; that’s how disgusting I am. I can’t even step foot on campus…

Panic welled up inside of me.

Did this mean I was trapped on the Ward forever? God, no, I couldn’t handle that. I wasn’t crazy!

Claustrophobia and paranoia dropped on top of me and I wildly scanned the room. I met my roommate’s eyes. She was looking at me with worry: What’s wrong?

The room stopped spinning, the walls went back to their normal locations, I could breathe again, and now I was angry. I told her flat out: Let me get this straight. I was raped on their campus. I had an emotional breakdown because I didn’t feel safe and felt harassed on their campus. I went to their counseling center, like they told me to, and I told them how I was feeling. They decided that I should be sent to the hospital. And now they won’t allow me back on their campus? They allow rapists back on campus, but they won’t allow the girl who was raped back? The girl who did nothing wrong.

She told me: Well, when you put it that way…

The maniacal grin on my social worker’s face as she walked off was wonderful.

Needless to say, Amherst let me back on campus later that evening. Five days after being admitted, I was finally released from the Ward.

The car ride back to campus with my dean was, also needless to say, the most awkward car ride of my life. I looked at her: You know, I’m really glad that y’all let me back on campus, for a while there I was pretty worried and I was actually preparing an argument for why I should be allowed back…

Her response: No, no, no! That’s not what happened, you must have just misunderstood the situation! We’re so happy to have you back! Amherst is just such a wonderful place, we know you’ll be happy to be back!

A big misunderstanding, I was skeptical.

In the following days I decided that my best policy when dealing with Amherst at the moment would be “let’s let bygones be bygones.” I quickly forgave the Administration and focused on just being happy to be out. On the inside though I was still dripping with anger, shame, and embarrassment.

Several days after my release I had to defend my chance to study abroad. My chance to leave campus for the first time in 8 months, my chance to relax and heal in a new environment, my biggest chance to revive my love of Amherst, and my chance to move on in life by studying what I truly love. The prospect had gotten me through the most frigid hours on the Ward and I was convinced that it would be the perfect way to continue my healing process.

I half-heartedly murmured, Your actions were understandable. I understand your policy when dealing with depression and students coming out of the Psychiatric Ward…during the meeting that included my dean and several of the campus counselors. Relief instantly flashed across all of their faces and the atmosphere rose in friendliness.

Then: The Ward was the best thing that could have happened to me. I have re-found my love of life and my desire to heal. I will never be 100% better, but I no longer feel like a victim. I’m a survivor, I’m strong, and I think that studying abroad will help me continue healing. When I return in the winter I’ll have a greater understanding of myself and a greater appreciation of Amherst.

They responded with enthusiasm: Of course! Very coherent explanation. You seem much happier, which is wonderful! We agree that going abroad and getting off campus will do you good.

Study abroad here I come!

I felt genuinely happy for the first time in a year, and I could not wait to head out.

At Amherst though, things are never that easy.

A few weeks after my release from the Ward I had a routine check-in with my dean to make sure that I was still doing well. I was excited to be leaving soon, and I must have looked quite content, sitting in her office with a million watt smile and bright eyes. I began to rattle on about how nice the warm weather was, how beautiful commencement had been, how great life was, on and on. She seemed distracted: Nod, nod…Mhmmm…Well, excellent! I’m so glad to hear that you’re excited about the upcoming summer here. I know how much you wanted to study abroad and how much work you must’ve put into it, but really, it’s for the best. Africa is quite traumatizing, what with those horrible third-world conditions: disease…huts…lions! You’ll be much better off here at Amherst where we can watch over you. It will give you some time to think about…you know…that…unfortunate incident…

My face was blank. “I’m supposed to go to Cape Town, South Africa…” Her response broke me down: Yes dear, I know. You were supposed to study in Africa. It’s all for the best that you aren’t though.

No one ever told me flat out that I would no longer be studying abroad. Not even the study abroad dean told me. I scheduled a meeting with her for two days after the meeting with my dean.

A few minutes after exchanging pleasantries she asked: What are your plans for the summer now that you’re on campus?

For the month of June I was decrepit, nothing could perk me up. I returned to feeling the embarrassment and shame that had consumed me before going onto the Ward. If I hadn’t told anyone about what happened I’d be abroad…If I had been stronger…If I wasn’t such a failure…This is all my fault, I really am just a broken, polluted piece of shit…

Living was difficult. Each day I woke up and wandered around in a daze. At night I stared blank faced at a wall and curled up in my chair in a fetal position. I couldn’t talk with people. If I talk with them they might become infected with my dirtiness.

I stopped eating. I stopped sleeping. I secretly hoped that one day on a run my heart would just stop and no one would have to see me again. I wasn’t worth anything anyway.
I continued having to meet with my dean; she blamed my sadness on not being allowed to study abroad, but I knew that it wasn’t that simple. I could live with not being allowed to go to South Africa at the moment, the country would be there for a while, but being forced to stay on campus in a dorm populated with men I did not know, that was the real psychological issue. Every time I told my dean that I didn’t feel safe on campus, that I wanted to be allowed to leave , or at least be put in a different dorm, I received the same unhelpful responses that I had received in February. They told me: You were lucky to be given a room here this summer in the first place, housing is tight right now and you really shouldn’t complain. All of your fear is ungrounded, Amherst is one of the safest places imaginable…If we let you leave campus we won’t know what mental and emotional place you’ll exist in when you return in September; you could become completely unstable! At Amherst we can monitor you, and, if need be, strongly suggest time off when the school year rolls around…

I felt like a prisoner, or, more accurately, like a harem girl. My jail was luxurious and openair, I was free to move about, the ruling power judged my worth on a weekly basis, and I was constantly reminded how lucky I was to be there.

One night, after a particularly rough meeting with my dean (I just don’t understand why you’ve been so angry throughout all of this. You have no reason to be angry about anything.), I was curled up on my floor—I wasn’t thinking, I didn’t feel anything.

I went over to the mirror on the back of my door and stared. What had happened to the girl who had come off of the Ward so empowered and strong; the girl who decided to no longer be silent and feel shamed? Where had she gone?

I went over to my desk and picked up a brochure I had been given about a survivor center at UMass Amherst. I gave an exaggerated sigh. Might as well…I called the number and made an appointment for the next day.

I went back to the mirror and stared at myself again.

For the next 15 minutes I repeated: “Silence has the rusty taste of shame.”

I walked over to my computer, typed up an email, hesitated for a second, and then pressed send.

I had just sent my entire sports team an email-rant about my rape and subsequent breakdown at the end of spring.

It was about time people began to realize that Amherst wasn’t just majestic dorms and world-class professors.

It was about time I resumed the silent pact that I had made to my roommate on the Ward.

I will not be quiet.

The next few weeks were a blur of unending days spent resolutely working to feel better (A friend told me: You can’t help other people if you feel like shit).

I was able to sleep again. I ate more. I went to free therapy sessions. I wrote and mindlessly colored in order to ground myself. I obsessively made lists of all the things imaginable. I joined a survivor group. I cried less and smiled a bit more.

I started healing.

It took a month of hard work until I was noticeably doing better. My friends, my therapist, my coworkers, and my fellow survivor group members all started commenting on how much healthier and happier I looked. I still felt uncomfortable and oppressed while surrounded by men on campus, but I was no longer afraid to leave my room after 7 p.m. I was determined to love Amherst again.

Life was tolerable.

Early July and I had another meeting with my dean: You look like you’re doing better today. Well done, I’m so glad to see this kind of improvement! I think it’s safe to assume that you can come back next semester, and in that regard I think that it’s time that we talk about your time at Amherst over the next two years…I know you want to do African Studies through the Five Colleges, but I don’t think I can support that decision. Africa is very traumatizing and I think that studying Africa is just a way for you to relive your real-life traumas; it’s just not a good place to be studying.

Over the next thirty minutes several more restrictions were laid out: no Five College classes this upcoming year, no study abroad in the spring, definitely no senior year thesis, I would have to meet with a counselor twice a week, and friends off campus would have to be pushed to the wayside. She told me: Amherst is the only place that matters, and, really, you don’t have a family, so where else would you go? Amherst is the only place that you can be.

At the end of our conversation I grunted out a vapid response and headed straight to my room. I sat on my bed, million-mile-gazed at the wall, and thought.

What was the point of staying at Amherst? I had been stuck on campus for eleven months straight; each day had been more challenging and emotionally draining than the previous one. I had been feeling better recently, but each time I met with my dean I felt more emotionally distraught than I had beforehand. Her comments reminded me that in the Administration’s eyes I was the most base individual: a poor and parentless humanities major who was the school’s token-Deep-Southerner. I was sullied, blameworthy, and possibly insane.

I made a Pros and Cons of Amherst List.

The Pro List had seven items.

The Con List had twenty-three items.

On July 14th I made one of the hardest decisions of my life.

I was going to withdraw from Amherst.

That next week I threw myself into finding a way out. Plans were made, plans were broken, Plan B was made, and finally Plan B was successful!

I did not tell the Administration for fear that they would somehow sabotage me. It was probably paranoid, but after being prevented from leaving campus multiple times I was not going to take any chances. The conversation went similarly to this:

“I’m withdrawing from Amherst.”

That was my greeting to my dean when I met with her in late July.

The look of complete shock on her face was priceless. When she recovered: So you’re taking a semester off? That’s perfectly ok, many survivors do, I think it’s best that you do what you…

No, I’m withdrawing, permanently. I ain’t planning on ever coming back. I’m going to transfer to another school after taking a semester off to travel around.

You can’t…You…Nobody withdraws. Where are you going to go? You don’t have parents. What are you going to do?

I’m working on a Dude Ranch in Wyoming.

…I didn’t think you’d be able to figure out a plan…Well, we technically won’t withdraw you from the school until three years have passed. After three years we’ll double-check to make sure that you really want to withdraw and then we’ll remove you from our current-students system.

No, I just want you to withdraw me. I don’t want to come back, I don’t want to be affiliated with your school anymore. I’m sick of this place.

I think you need to meet with our sexual assault counselor again, you’re way too angry right now and not thinking clearly. I have a feeling you’ll change your mind and come back. Amherst is one of the best schools out there, it will be a transfer down unless you go to an Ivy…

You know, I have I feeling that I won’t want to come back, but that’s just a hunch.

As my dean suggested, I met with our sexual assault counselor a few days later. The meeting was uncharacterizeable by one word, but bizarre might be the closest description: This is a bad idea, you’re not thinking straight.

I didn’t understand this. I’d been thinking about this for quite a while; I was unhappy at Amherst and I didn’t understand why I should stay at a place where I was absolutely miserable. There are other places in the world.

The next two hours was a hodgepodge of topics: Your lack of parental support makes you emotionally volatile and prevents you from following through with decisions that you make.

Apparently I had decided not to study abroad. Then there was bizarre ‘concern:’You don’t look very healthy. Have you been eating? I think you might have an eating disorder. You know there’s a great clinic in Northhampton where we can send you for in-patient eating disorder treatment.

I don’t have an eating disorder; I used to have one, I know what they’re like. I don’t eat a lot because I can’t afford to buy food.

Then the ranch came up: Do you realize how difficult working on a Dude Ranch will be? The people in Wyoming are different from the people at Amherst, they won’t be well-educated, and they won’t understand you. You’re going to a backwards place. Do you realize how bad it will be?

Yes, because the rest of the US is filled with ignorant savages who haven’t been saved by the light of Amherst. How would I ever survive?

To the counselor’s great surprise, these stellar arguments did not convince me to stay at Amherst. I became even more resolute about my decision to leave, and decided to talk with the Victim Rights Law Center, a pro-bono law firm based in Boston that my survivor group had recommended to me several weeks earlier. My preliminary intake with the VRLC was quite eye-opening: Oh Amherst? Yeah, unfortunately I know Amherst all too well. I’ve been down there many times to deal with the administration and their constant mistreatment of survivors. Our law firm keeps trying to force them to change but they just don’t seem to understand, they keep doing the same old thing.

Amherst has almost 1800 students; last year alone there were a minimum of 10 sexual assaults on campus. In the past 15 years there have been multiple serial rapists, men who raped more than five girls, according to the sexual assault counselor. Rapists are given less punishment than students caught stealing. Survivors are often forced to take time off, while rapists are allowed to stay on campus. If a rapist is about to graduate, their punishment is often that they receive their diploma two years late.

I eventually reported my rapist.

He graduated with honors.

I will not graduate from Amherst.

The stories and statistics are miles long in regards to sexual assault on campus. My story is far from unique, and, compared to some of the stories I have heard, is tame.
The more that I learn about Amherst’s policy toward sexual assault and survivors in general, the more relief I feel in deciding to transfer. How could I stay at a school who had made my healing process not just difficult, but impossible? How could I stand knowing that the Administration promotes silence? How could I spend the next two years made to feel dirty and at fault?

I could not.

At one point I hated Amherst with an indescribable amount of fury, but I do not hate the school anymore. Amherst took a lot from me, but they gave me some of the greatest gifts imaginable: self-confidence, my closest friends, intellectual curiosity, and endless personal strength. For these things I am forever grateful. For everything else, I stand back and behold the college with a feeling of melancholia.

The fact that such a prestigious institution could have such a noxious interior fills me with intense remorse mixed with sour distaste. I am sickened by the Administration’s attempts to cover up survivors’ stories, cook their books to discount rapes, pretend that withdrawals never occur, quell attempts at change, and sweep sexual assaults under a rug. When politicians cover up affairs or scandals the masses often rise up in angry protestations and call for a more transparent government. What is the difference between a government and the Amherst College campus? Why can’t we know what is really happening on campus? Why should we be quiet about sexual assault?

“Silence has the rusty taste of shame.”

There is no reason shame should be a school’s policy.

UPDATE: President Carolyn "Biddy" Martin has released a statement concerning this article and the follow-up steps being taken by the administration regarding sexual assault: https://www.amherst.edu/campuslife/letters_president/node/436469

Anchor
Comments
Anna (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:26

Thank you, Angie, for being so honesty about this terrible, personal experience. I am sorry from the bottom of my heart that you had to go through all of this; it is a disgrace to the entire Five-College body that we allow this kind of behavior to exist in our community. You are a strong, beautiful person and I do not doubt that you will be able to live and learn in a community that will appreciate your stories--thank you, oh so much. We all must come together to combat these terrible practices. Peace and love to you.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:27

This is so very brave, and I can't tell you how truly touched I am by your openness about what has happened. Your story is inspiring and helps me to come to terms with the own violences I've experienced and been silent about for far too long. Your bold words will hopefully provide solace to all those who have fallen victim to the administrative run around as well as drawing attention to specifically the egregious acts that Amherst administration has done.

Please continue to speak up; your story is important and there are many who need to hear it.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:28

Angie, I wish you all the best with the rest of your education and life ahead. I hope you're among Amherst's last rape survivors to take so much abuse from the administration.

I've heard stories like Angie's before, and many times, after months or years, the administration tells survivors they have no physical evidence. What if they did? Does anyone here know what it would take to make rape kits available for Amherst survivors?

Alum (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:34

You're very brave for writing this. And thank you to the Amherst Student staff as well; I imagine the decision to publish this was a difficult one, but you made the right choice.
I've been away from Amherst for years, but I still see shades of my own experience in your story. There was a truly awful dean during my time. It wasn't Ben Lieber; he was great. I understand he has since left. Perhaps he kept any dysfunctional superficial self-interest tendencies of the others in check to some extent. There should be Ben Lieber clones in the Dean's Office.
Students, parents, alumni -- write to the Board of Trustees. This story exposes a systemic problem and it needs to be addressed from all angles and levels, but especially from the very top.

'11 Grad (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:38

I too will make sure my younger sister does not apply to Amherst. She is thinking about Wellesley and I am really encouraging her (though I attended neither Amherst nor Wellesley). Thank you for bravely telling your story, Ms. Epifano, and best of luck with your education!

Wendy (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:40

My daughter, Amherst class of '15, shared this with me on FB and asked that I share it with my friends so that everyone would know about the institution where she is attending school. I have done so, and I hope that some small good can come of sharing your story, Angie. My heart goes out to you, as does my admiration for the amazing steps- no, leaps- you have taken in taking control of your own life. Here is hoping upon hope that your bravery in sharing your story will lead to some changes in the way Amherst deals with victims of rape and other sexual assaults.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:42

People in upstate NY are reading this and we are all with you. And I was never brave enough; I transferred instead of reporting it when it happened to me. So while I have never met you, thank you for showing all of us how to be brave. Love and luck.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:44

We need to take this amazing display of bravery and outrage to school policy and DO something about it. Not soon. Not later. NOW is the time to act! Change will not come to those who wait...

Thank you for you bravery Angie. I and I hope many others will make sure it was not in vain.

a high school senior (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:45

I will never even consider attending Amherst. I am disgusted. I am half-tempted to apply to Amherst just to answer their essay questions with a comprehensive rant on how much I loathe them and this policy. You are such a brave, incredible woman for sharing this.

This is going to anger a lot of high school seniors who are reading this. Amherst's class of '17 and Amherst as an institution will suffer for this. And god, do they deserve it.

Former Employee (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:46

Your story resinates in so many different ways for me. Your information on the administration unfortunately was not shocking. When trouble comes to Amherst they try to buy, lie and weasel their way out. They constantly attempt to convince you that its all your fault you are in the situation you're in. They ask you questions because they dont know what to do. I'm so sorry you had to go through this for so long and that you had no support from the people your tuition pays to do just that. Keep fighting the good fight. Sadly being steeped in tradition I fear this institution will never change.

Anon (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:47

Thank you for breaking the silence. You are an amazing individual, and as someone who can relate with many of your experiences, I appreciate your bravery.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:52

Love and strength from a Colorado College student

'11 Smith Alum (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:53

Angie,

Thank you this piece, truly. You are so brave.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:54

Love and strength from a Colorado College student

MHC student (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:54

Thank you so much for sharing your story. As a 5C sister I will make sure your story gets passed on here at MHC. Stay strong

Anon (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:57

Thank you so much for sharing your story. My experience mirrors yours almost exactly, except I went to a school on the west coast. I was forced to withdraw when they treated me almost exactly as Amherst treated you. I suffer from PTSD among other mental illnesses related to what happened to me and the way I was treated afterward. I'm going to share your story with everyone I know. I have a feeling this happens at many colleges around the nation, but victims are shamed into silence.
Please don't ever stop telling your story. I'm still not in my 'recovery' phase, but your story has inspired me.

A Swarthmore Student (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 18:58

Sending you deep gratitude and support from Swarthmore.

'12 Alumna (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:02

Angie, your account is utterly heartbreaking. I am incredibly moved by your courage and filled with shame, bitterness, and disgust with the horrors of your experience: with your rapist, with people questioning the legitimacy of your rape, with the culture of silence, with the Amherst administration. I wish you all the best, I wish you well, I wish you joy, and I hope that your story will cause positive change.

Anonymus (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:03

Sending you love from Middlebury. Thanks for being so courageous; keep sharing your story

Leanna (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:05

Thank you from the University of Mary Washington. Coming forward with your story is incredibly brave, especially in light of the hell you went through seeking justice and help. I hope you have found speaking out cathartic and have been much happier in your endeavors since your withdrawal.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:07

Sending our love. Thank you for sharing; your bravery is inspiring.

Veronica (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:07

Dear Angie,

Thank you so much for sharing your powerful, heartbreaking, and courageous story with the Amherst community and the world. Hopefully, your bravery will result in a serious re-evaluation of the Administration's policies and practices concerning sexual assault.

I am absolutely astounded by the administration's response to your account. Although there's nothing I can do to rectify what's already happened, I can offer you some of my own thoughts and hope that they will be somewhat comforting:

1. I believe you. Unlike some others who have posted before me, I don't think you're lying or making stuff up and I think that it's truly deplorable for people to suggest such things.
2. You are not alone. I also withdrew from Amherst not too long ago and although it was for reasons not even remotely comparable to yours in scope or scale, I am totally familiar with the kind of culture that Amherst perpetuates, which is why I had to leave. I also knew a lot of people who felt the same way. And I think a lot of admitted students get lured into attending what they believe to a bastion of progressive education and end up leaving disappointed with their experience.
3. I admire you. I have experience with sexual assault and I also know the level of vitriol directed towards women who break their silence on it. This is a huge issue that is not often given the time and nuance it deserves by society at large. By giving a voice to your story in such a eloquent and moving way, you have already done so much for a subject that is mired in silence.

So thank you for your courage. I can't tell you how truly sorry I am that you experienced both the trauma of a sexual assault and then the trauma of not being heard when you first tried to tell your story. But at least you are being heard now.

Sincerely,
Veronica

Wheaton Student (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:12

Angie- another sister school mate feels for you. Wheaton's administration is much more kind and understanding than what you've told us about Amhert's administration. Still, the process of reporting sexual assault and receiving therapy for sexual assault was difficult nonetheless. We stand with you.

LS (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:18

Support from an Oberlin student!

Anita L. '14 (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:20

A wake-up call to a problem endemic to colleges across the nation. Throw stones at Amherst, but don't forget that this happens everywhere. Liability is the operative word.. Do morals and ethics exist only in the abstract for the institutions that are supposed to producing America's next generation of leaders?

If this isn't what Amherst wants to stand for, the administration needs to assume responsibility for their mistakes. Apologize. Then show everyone we can be better. I have so much love for this place, but something like this cannot happen without an institution-wide change to show for it.

Smith Alumna (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:20

Thank you so much for sharing. You have an ally from Smith College.

Columbia student (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:21

... across the country. A horrific story, but thank you for telling it. I would be shocked if it doesn't effect change.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:25

I hope that next year this time, none of us will have forgotten your story. One day, when this campus is so much different than it was when you left, I hope the college calls you back here to publicly apologize. In the meantime, I wish you all the best in your travels and your life ahead. Cape Town is a beautiful place. Don't let Amherst stop you from going.

Myla (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:25

Thank you so much for sharing your story. You are so brave, and what you have said is important and will hopefully change the situation in the future.

I cannot put into words how much the administration's reaction to your case infuriates me. I am now even more glad than before to have chosen Williams over Amherst, but I know bureaucratic misdeeds are everywhere. So often the administration is not held accountable for this kind of horrific incompetence (and, considering the comments on Africana Studies, racism). I hope the students of Amherst hold their deans responsible for this and refuse to let this case fade from memory.

Jennifer (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:26

I have been touched by your story. Many of my friends have suffered sexual assault through their lives, especially in college, and it has done nothing but anger me. I want to be a force of healing for our broken culture of rape and this just adds fuel to that fire.

I wish you luck and peace at whatever you have chosen to pursue now and in the future.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:26

I hope that next year this time, none of us will have forgotten your story. One day, when this campus is so much different than it was when you left, I hope the college calls you back here to publicly apologize. In the meantime, I wish you all the best in your travels and your life ahead. Cape Town is a beautiful place. Don't let Amherst stop you from going.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:27

This was an amazing, empowering story. I hope all of the skeptics realize that they are just as bad as the administrators who tried to push this young woman's trauma under the rug.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:27

Thank you from a Yalie. I'm so sorry for what happened to you, but I'm so proud of you for speaking on it.

Smith Student (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:30

In accordance with '11 Alumni, I am both sickened and baffled by the idea that such a Dean or sexual assault counselor would hold positions of guidance for Amherst students of this era. Clearly, their dual lack of recognition and empathy for the trauma felt by this student has played a significant role in her suffering. Furthermore, I'm sure their lack of understanding for the severity/tenderness of the "subject of rape" has also led to an insufferable amount of pain endured by her fellow Amherst peers who may too have received the "forgive and forget" spiel.

This article has given me an entirely new perspective on Amherst... I am disgusted by the Administration's treatment of this student and her fellow survivors. For a school so seemingly advanced and academically revered, your administration could use some serious schooling in its dark age approach to the treatment of rape survivors!

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:32

I cannot thank you enough for your bravery. You have wholehearted support from this Brown student.

Kate (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:34

Thank you for sharing your truth. Congratulations for leaving the abusive atmosphere at Amherst College.

A Smithie (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:34

Your story came out less than 24 hours ago and it's going viral, especially in the college world. Thank you for speaking up; as a Smithie who goes to Amherst every weekend, I now feel aware, and frightened of what happens there behind the closed doors. Know that every woman supports you, you are so brave for speaking about such a horrifying topic. Thank you so so much.

Harvard'14 (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:35

You are so brave! Thank you for doing this!

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:35

I hope that next year this time, none of us will have forgotten your story. One day, when this campus is so much different than it was when you left, I hope the college calls you back here to publicly apologize. In the meantime, I wish you all the best in your travels and your life ahead. Cape Town is a beautiful place. Don't let Amherst stop you from going.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:36

As a male student at another university, I find your narrative infinitely powerful. I'm sorry for what you went through and admire your bravery.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:38

I hope that next year this time, none of us will have forgotten your story. One day, when this campus is so much different than it was when you left, I hope the college calls you back here to publicly apologize. In the meantime, I wish you all the best in your travels and your life ahead. Cape Town is a beautiful place. Don't let Amherst stop you from going.

Sam S. (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:40

Angie, congratulations on publishing one of the most open, strong and meaningful pieces of writing ever to land in a college newspaper. As the editorial editor-in-chief of Colorado College's Student Newspaper, I commend you.

My brother and I are trying to get my dad to make a PBS FRONTLINE documentary about rape on college campuses. It's a documentary asking to be made. The way colleges handle this issue is disgusting.

Again, solidarity and love from Colorado College.

Sara (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:41

As said above, your story is powerful and heartbreaking. I sincerely hope that you find and experience the joys that this world has to offer, and that from now on you are surrounded by supportive people who dispel the shadow of shame that Amherst enforced.

Jen (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:44

As a Northwestern University class of 2012 student, thank you for sharing your story. It is spreading and I hope that universities are taking notice so they can better help people affected by sexual assault. I wish you all the best for your future.

Ben (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:45

This was an outstanding article. This is one of the most chilling articles I have ever read. I'm sure that all of the non-rapists at Amherst would support Amherst changing its policy.

Best wishes!

SolidarityNC (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:45

and the system that empowers schools to gloss over sexual offenses, the same system that forces sexual assault victims into re-victimization in the courts, will change. Shame on Amherst.

Chey (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:46

Angie, firstly, I'm extremely sorry for what happened to you. Nobody should have to go through something like that. Secondly, I want to thank you, and everyone else on these comments who has shared similar stories from the same college. It takes bravery to 'speak out', not because it's something shameful, but because of the oppressive blame-culture surrounding survivors of sexual assault and rape.

I have sent an email directly to the college asking them to explain themselves on this matter, with a link to this article. In a week's time (I've given them a week to reply), I'm going to try my best to start a facebook awareness campaign about this article, and I'll post more details about that here.

Again, thank you all for being so forthcoming with what must be painful memories, it helps me (and others I'm sure) gain a better understanding of your experiences. You're all wonderful, courageous and inspirational people.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:47

Strength often found through the test of adversity.
But some things do not test, they simply break.
You have found again that precious self-identity.
Now for me, treat yourself to cake.

Haverford Alum (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:49

Mismanagement (to put it mildy) of sexual assault cases is not isolated to Amherst (or Swarthmore, or Wesleyan, as previous posts have shown); it is happening on college and university campuses all over the country, including Haverford. I don't think it's a problem with the institutions themselves, or even with the administration, even though it is easy to blame individuals. Many colleges' sexual assault policies have simply not been reviewed for decades, if they exist at all; often times the administrators in charge of responding to allegations of sexual assault have little training in sexual assault prevention and Title IX compliance. There is a student movement working to change this. I encourage everyone who is passionate about this issue to visit safercampus.org and look at the resources written and compiled by Students Active for Ending Rape. It's a resource we used when lobbying for sexual assault policy reform at Haverford. Angie, thank you for your strength in sharing this story, for shattering the silence, and for inspiring survivors and their allies on campuses across the country.

Anonymous (not verified) says:
Wed, 10/17/2012 - 19:53

You have an ally with Smith College!

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