How the Cornell case is affecting women who have experienced sexual assault
Following sexual assault allegations at Cornell University, survivors are sharing their own experiences of trauma and institutional failure. The article highlights how public news of such cases can trigger past trauma for other victims of sexual violence.
Why it matters
Addresses the systemic issue of sexual assault on university campuses and the psychological impact on survivors.
When Olivia Petter first saw the news about the sexual assault allegations at Cornell University, she was shocked by how familiar parts of the story felt for her.
"The more I found out, the more triggered I became," she said. "I think for me, the worst thing was seeing the group messages that these boys were allegedly sending to each other on the night of the alleged rape."
Reading those exchanges brought the London-based author back to boarding school in England, where she says older boys targeted her and her friends from the age of 13.
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