Fresno State students take back the night

By Amy Roberts

A 24-year-old Fresno State student took a stand against the painful memory of a sexual assault committed against her — and survived.

She told her story to about 250 people at Wednesday’s Take Back the Night event.

Talia Duran, a senior majoring in English, kept a promise she made to herself to speak out against the crime that took part of her dignity and innocence when she was 14.

A family friend assaulted her, then she had to endure his presence whenever he visited the family. During those times, he acted as if nothing had happened.

“ I made a vow a year ago at this event to speak out. I got tired of the nightmares. I feel stronger every time I speak out. I’m not going to be a victim anymore,” she said, fighting back tears.

Take Back the Night is about empowering people to speak out against rape, domestic violence and other types of crimes.

Signs and writings on paper bag luminarios around the Peace Garden pathway exploded myths with messages like, “No one deserves to be sexually assaulted,” “No means No” and “96% of all reported sexual assaults are true.”

Odette Larson, an English lecturer on campus, knows very well the pervasive self-blame and fear of punishment that kept her silent for years following her rape when she was 11 years old.

Larson broke her silence by writing a book, “Flying Sparks: Growing up on the edge of Las Vegas.”

Larson read an excerpt from the book about the rape, telling how she and another girl were abducted by three boys and driven into the desert.

Interspersed between the raw facts, she talked about feeling guilty and being haunted by a remark her mother made that “bad girls get what they deserve.” She believed for a long time that the rape became her fault.

“ At the time, rape wasn’t talked about,” Larson said. “But that still happens today. We, as a society, don’t want to hear about it. But by staying silent, we’re participating in the act of violence.”

Francine Oputa, Women’s Resource Center coordinator, said research shows only one out of 10 sexual assaults is reported. Victims may feel blame, fear, embarrassment, rejection and guilt, which may be why assaults continue to go unreported.

Julia Vega works as the prevention education director for Rape Counseling Services. She said victims often don’t report a crime because 75 to 85 percent of the time they know their attacker. This leads them to believe they may be responsible for being in the situation. Victims also believe it would be hard to prove the crime occurred, or that the finger of blame would be pointed back at them.

Eric Hickey, Fresno State criminology professor, said, “Women need to know that no matter what, they don’t deserve to be abused. Also, women need to be educated on the ‘cycle of violence’ in order to break it. Empowerment comes through education, support and information.”

Hickey stressed the importance of reducing crime by raising happy children.

“ If we raised healthy and happy boys, we wouldn’t have the pervasive problems with violence that we have,” he said.

Boys raised with love and acceptance learn empathy and respect, Hickey said. Verbally abused and shamed boys grow up with low self-esteem and are often very angry.

“ The risk of them growing up to be violent adults is quite great,” he said.

While educating people is an important part of reducing assaults, schools, businesses and organizations also play an important role.

Fresno State is doing its part by supporting services and safety awareness programs. Besides the Women’s Resource Center services, the campus police department offers 24-hour escort service to anyone who feels unsafe walking on campus. They also give presentations on self-protection, sexual harassment and personal safety.

Paul Oliaro, dean of student services, told event participants that any type of violence against women is not tolerated on campus.

“ Hopefully faculty, staff, administrators and other students are willing to stand up and speak out for their safety, to make this campus a safer place for all students—especially women,” Oliaro said.

Individuals can also assist in assault prevention by volunteering.

Tommy Hula, a 21-year-old marketing major, assisted Stacey Dwyer, president of the Women’s Alliance, to put together the event. He said he has become more aware and empathetic to gender issues by taking a women’s studies class this semester.