Reflections on Sexual Assault: Personal Reactions to Cornell Allegations

Olivia Petter, a London-based author, felt a strong connection to the news of sexual assault allegations at Cornell University. Her own experiences of sexual misconduct during her teenage years resurfaced. She recalls the taunts and humiliations she and her friends endured at a boarding school in England, starting as young as thirteen.

Petter described incidents of older boys demeaning them while walking past. They would rate and shout numbers at the girls. Worse, she remembers boys pulling down girls’ trousers, especially in public spaces like the dining hall. At seventeen, a boy tried to assault her sexually while she was trying to sleep after a party.

These experiences, she explained, left a lasting impact because, at the time, young people didn’t comprehend what was happening due to a lack of language around sexual assault. Her reflections are not isolated. Many share their stories online in response to the Cornell allegations.

The case in question involves Jane Doe, a former student, who has accused seven former Cornell students of drugging and raping her at the Chi Phi fraternity house. This story resonated nationwide, moving other university communities, such as the University of Pennsylvania, to acknowledge similar issues.

For survivors, hearing such news can be emotionally taxing. Hannah Braunstein, a trauma specialist, explains that these stories trigger past trauma, taking people back to their own experiences. The emotional response can be intense, as experienced by Erin Smith, who reacted strongly upon hearing the news. The memories and physical sensations of past assaults came rushing back.

Repeated exposure to such news can deepen emotional distress. While people might seek more information hoping for relief, it could exacerbate their feelings. Braunstein advises limiting news intake and suggests grounding techniques to manage overwhelming feelings.

Both Petter and Smith find solace in writing. Petter intends to channel her anger into starting conversations about sexual assault, especially with men, to challenge negative behavior and comments against women. For Smith, the sense of shared experience with Jane Doe and many women has underscored the importance of addressing these issues collectively. She emphasizes that many can relate to Jane Doe’s story.