A Twitter account with the handle ‘@RapedAtSpelman‘ appeared online less than 24 hours ago and tells the story of a young woman who says she was the victim of rape at Spelman College by four Morehouse College students.
In a series of tweets, the anonymous Spelman freshman recounts the night she went to a party with friends and ended up getting sexually assaulted by the four men. She also details the steps she took after the incident to report the rape and how administration handled the process.
This is my freshmen year at Spelman and my last year because I decided to leave after what happened to me.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
I went to a party with my friends there were alot of people there and it was really fun so we decided to drink with the upperclassmen.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
I was drunk but that doesn't mean I forgot about what happened. I went to the bathroom upstairs to throw up and when I opened the door I was
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
surrounded by 4 Morehouse students who took me to another room and took turns raping me. I was in shock about what had happened.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
After it happened I went to find my friends who had already left the party so I had to walk back to campus by myself. When I got there I
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
went to public safety to do a report and I was sent to the hospital for a rape kit. It took Spelman a month to get back to me about my case
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
When I got to the meeting with the Dean and Public Safety they asked me what was I wearing, why did I seperate from my friends, & why was I
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
drinking under age. The Dean also said that Spelman & Morehouse are brother & sister so I should give them a pass. I never felt so worthless
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
in my life. I got so depressed that I wanted to take my own life and I started to self-harm. I don't want to be at a school that does not
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
make me feel safe and wants to silence me. So I would like to say goodbye to Spelman and to the amazing people I've met along the way.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
Spelman has taught me to be a free thinking woman and also to be a woman who has to keep her mouths closed to protect her "brothers".
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
You can NEVER say Morehouse has their sisters back if they are just going to force her on it.
— Raped At Spelman (@RapedAtSpelman) May 2, 2016
Her story sent shockwaves through the Spelman and Morehouse communtity and spawned several hashtags, including #RapedAtSpelman, #RapedAtMorehouse, and #RapedByMorehouse.
Students are now using the hashtags to share their stories, amplify their voices and shed light on the issue of ‘rape culture.’ Protests are also happening across the Spelman campus.
https://twitter.com/TheRealAree_/status/727592807129567232
Looking at #RapedatMorehouse and reminded that what happens to a victim AFTER a rape is almost as bad as the rape (if not worse).
— Jamilah Lemieux (@JamilahLemieux) May 3, 2016
"I am somebody and I deserve full equality. Right here! Right now!"#RapedAtSpelman #RapedAtMorehouse pic.twitter.com/wEWYOj3uPi
— ?? #HandsOffSyria ?? (@_iAmRoyal) May 3, 2016
Going on now! #RapedbyMorehouse #RapedatSpelman pic.twitter.com/Ss8Xc2MX6N
— K. (@kailynnmariee) May 3, 2016
#Silencing to protect brothers. Culture before self-care and self-worth. #rapedatmorehouse https://t.co/4wmRQkq4fT
— Nadrea Njoku, Ph.D. (@nadreanjoku) May 3, 2016
These stories are really resonating with me. I'm literally shaking. #RapedatMorehouse #RapedatSpelman
— K. (@kailynnmariee) May 3, 2016
Hey. Me again.
The point of the hashtag #RapedAtMorehouse isn't to make you feel good about what's going on. If you're uncomfortable, why?— Jillmonger (@_afrodiziak) May 3, 2016
I want justice for those who were #RapedAtSpelman and those who were #RapedByMorehouse. Sending you all my love and support.
— Théa Ndiso L. (@AdamantxYves) May 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/FarajiDC/status/727548606983602176
#RAPEDATSPELMAN raises awareness to rape culture…….. #RapedbyMorehouse is just bashing the brothers you're asking to protect you .
— ? ? ? (@__Jaasmineee) May 3, 2016
Today is about interrupting a campus culture that normalizes sexual violence. #RapedAtSpelman #RapedByMorehouse pic.twitter.com/LBbzi1O7G5
— avery (@avryjxn) May 3, 2016
Great thread! Come out tmrw at 4 to support! #packthehalls #rapedatspelman https://t.co/p1ewpzzpM1
— Clarissa Brooks (@ClarissaMBrooks) May 3, 2016
Back in January, Buzzfeed published a story with reports of rape from both past and present Spelman students dating back to the mid 1990s. Since the feature went public, Spelman and Morehouse administrators announced initiatives to help combat the issue of campus rape and mishandling allegations.
In response to the allegations from ‘@RapedAtSpelman,’ the school says they’re investigating.
“Our hearts go out to this student and I want to personally offer her our full support and assistance,” Spelman President Dr. Mary Schmidt Campbell said in a statement provided to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
“We are a family at Spelman and we will not tolerate any episode of sexual violence,” she wrote. “No student should ever have to suffer and endure the experience she has recounted on social media. Spelman is conducting a full and thorough review of these events.”
The school did not immediately say whether the alleged victim had filed a police report or other complaint. They did not specify whether they knew who the alleged victim was. The tweets did not say when the alleged assault took place.
[via HBCU Digest]
