Story originally printed in the Onalaska Life or online at www.onalaskalife.com
Published - Wednesday, April 23, 2008
OHS student group spreading the word to stop sexual assault
 Onalaska High School sophomore Jasmine Bolds hangs "dirty laundry" in the hallway at OHS, an effort to promote awareness of sexual violence. Photo by Randy Erickson |
No one likes to talk about sex, and even more, no one likes to talk about sexual abuse. Not only because it’s still a taboo subject, but because it’s too painful to think about — a child, a friend, a parent, being a victim of an atrocious act of violence.
This reality belongs to a group of students at Onalaska High School, a group that was united in their circumstances, but also compelled into action by them. For them, silence is not the answer, it’s the problem.
The group of students, made up of victims of sexual abuse and those who want to help, meets every week just to talk.
“We talk about getting back to life,” said Jasmine Bolds, a sophomore member of the group, “It’s really nice to have somewhere to go for support, and I’m with others who’ve been through it, too.”
The group has spent April raising awareness about sexual abuse by hanging up “dirty laundry,” a collection of student-illustrated paper T-shirts that are covered with messages and drawings. Each different color of T-shirt stands for a different form of abuse. For example, a white T-shirt represents women who have died from violence.
“When I walk down the hallway and read the messages, like ‘I’ll pray for you,’ I feel proud to know that there’s someone out there that understands,” Bolds said.
The group’s efforts could not have come at a better time and at a better place. Statistics show that the risk of rape is four times higher for women aged 16-24 than any other age group. About 38 pecent of women who have been raped were 14-17 years old at the time of the attack.
Even more shocking is the number of unreported assaults. Only 6 percent of teenage rape victims report the assault to the police, and 78 percent of teenage victims do not even tell their parents about the incident.
The group also participated in the Onalaska’s Diversity Day sessions, speaking about their experiences and what students can do to protect themselves.
“It can happen to boys and girls,” said Bolds. “Nobody expects for it to happen, but it does.”
Bolds said the group isn’t about being viewed as victims. “Some people believe that we’re here to make them feel sorry for us,” Bolds said. “We’re not here for their sympathy. Sexual abuse needs to be talked about because people need to know not to put themselves in situations where they could be hurt.”
All stories copyright 2006 Onalaska Life and other attributed sources.