In an effort to bring change and awareness, Ashtyn Clark, president of Bare Naked Ladies along with Mackenzie Spicer, vice president of Bare Naked Ladies and Megan Garrett, who was asked by Clark to also share her story and a senior political science and economics double major, hosted a panel where they shared their own stories of sexual assault in a welcoming environment.
Clark started off the event titled 'Let's Get Uncomfortable', held on Wednesday, Nov. 14 in Bedford 111 at 7 p.m., by sharing her personal story occurring at Hampden-Sydney College (HSC) in April of 2017 where she said she was drugged and raped.
Spicer, who also called herself a survivor as Clark did, had a similar experience at HSC where she said she was sexually assaulted spring break of her freshman year at Longwood.
Spicer shared her story with the audience about how she was sexually assaulted at Hampden Sydney College (HSC).
Both Clark and Spicer felt the Title IX process at HSC had failed them and the effects are still ongoing today.
“I felt defeated and silenced,” said Spicer in reference to her case.
"As you know, the college is limited in its ability to discuss the specifics of particular Title IX cases. But the college treats all reports of sexual assault with the utmost care and attention, and all reports prompt an investigative process that is designed to be thorough, fair, and unbiased," said Gordon Neal, director of Communications and Marketing for HSC.
Garrett shared her story but felt it was different from the others in that she said she was sexually assaulted a year ago off-campus at Longwood but did not report the incident. Garrett did not share her story publicly until August 2018 after the political dialogue had shifted to victim shaming she said.
“Your experience is valid even if you don’t speak out,” said Garrett.
Those in attendance were then given the opportunity to discuss new ideas on how to bring awareness to sexual assault on Longwood’s campus as well as HSC.
Taylor Nelson, a senior Liberal Studies major, suggested there be a transportation service just from Longwood to HSC in that some people are put in bad situations after they do not have a ride back to Longwood.
Garrett said there could be a student organization just dedicated to being a Designated Driver (DD) service since not all instances happen at HSC.
Hannah Prem, a senior business administration major, said she felt frustrated with the amount of support from faculty and staff and there is a disconnect between students and faculty. Prem said as a desk aid she had dealt with a sexual assault victim and when authorities were contacted she felt the victim was encouraged not to take further action.
Hannah Prem (bottom left) told the audience her feelings on the disconnect between students and staff members at Longwood when talking about sexual assault and misconduct.
Clark introduced the concept of victim blaming where she felt the national dialogue had been skewed from the recent hearings of Brett Kavanaugh when Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez and Julie Swetnick came forward and accused Kavanaugh of sexual assault and misconduct.
Clark felt it was a good time to share her story publicly on social media.
“My story, sadly, is not unique. It was not until recently that I realized almost every person I have come in contact with has been impacted by sexual assault or sexual misconduct. The national news has sparked a country wide #MeToo Movement, which has enabled survivors to step into the light. It is time for Longwood to step into the light…” said Clark in the post.
University Clery and Title IX Coordinator Lindsey Moran, Esq., who also serves as the adviser to Bare Naked Ladies also was part of the planning process of the event.
“The audience was thoroughly engaged and provided some insightful comments as well as great suggestions for improving our community both on campus and off,” said Moran.
An audience member suggested there be more panels in the future in which all three panelists were in favor of.
Ashtyn Clark (left), Mackenzie Spicer (middle) and Megan Garrett (right) hosted a panel to 'get uncomfortable' about sexual assault and misconduct.
