my story 2.0

September 23, 2023. Unfortunately, another date that changed me. Getting raped in college once is something that happened and I dealt with, moved colleges and decided to start fresh. I never thought it would happen again. I decided to keep this story to myself for years since I have an open case. However, no justice has been served, and I’m not sure if it will be, so I’d rather have my voice be heard in other ways while I decide how I want to continue.

This time, I remembered every detail. I wasn’t drugged. I was getting walked home from the bar by a guy who was visiting the university. I went out quite late this night since my roommate texted me around 11:30pm asking me to come to the bar- I hadn’t planned on going out this night, but she wanted me to come last minute, so I did. The bars wouldn’t be open much longer, so I knew I wouldn’t be drinking much and would be able to have a more laid back night. I have a Snapchat of me in the elevator at 12:09am headed out. I wish I stayed in, and I learned my lesson. I had a few drinks, danced, made some friends, and a “kind” guy offered to walk me home after I realized I lost my group of friends I was with. I said yes, since it was late at night.

     He was visiting his friend at a dorm across the street from mine, and needed to grab something from his car, and of course I said yes to stopping since it was right before we got to my destination. I didn’t know what was about to happen. We got into the parking garage, my head was then slammed into the car window, and I was put into the back seat of his car where I told him I didn’t want to do anything. He didn’t listen. I took in my surroundings as much as I could through my tears and yelled at him, but no wasn’t a word in his vocabulary. Once he finally stopped and let me out of his car, he got upset, and gave me a water. I was sitting on the floor of the parking garage, distraught, I didn’t know what to do. He gave me a bottle of water, which I kept since I thought it would have his DNA on it and could catch him. He looked at me and said, “why are you upset?” I looked at him and asked if he didn’t just realize what he did, and he asked me not to tell anyone. I remember saying, “you’re just scared I’m going to report you.” To which he said, “yeah, I am.” I then told him to get in his car and leave, which he did, but before that I took a photo of his license plate. I was not going to have this happen to me again and not have evidence. I came prepared this time, even though I was terrified.

    I then called my close friend at the time who was in the same sorority. She came and got me, and we went to the sorority house where some upperclassmen helped me decide what I wanted to do. I immediately knew I wanted to get a rape kit done and have evidence and a case open. That’s exactly what we did. I spent about 10 hours getting tests done, answering questions, and finally, being belittled by a police officer. I never thought I’d be asked what I was wearing by a police officer after a rape occurred, but that’s exactly what happened. It is disgusting and for the record- I was in pants. After the tests and questioning, I got in contact with a detective who is in charge of my case, and has been for the past 2 years. I have not yet taken this to court, but I still can. I stayed at this school until January, but I was not doing well mentally, and ultimately decided to leave college for good.

      Today, I have never been happier. I moved to Florida in 2024 to work for the Walt Disney World Company. I have made some amazing lifelong friends, and I have become comfortable in my skin. I know that these events were terrible, but they shaped me into the strong and resilient person I am today.