Dear Future President,

Since the primary election is coming up very soon, I am urging you take on one of the many issues that concern this country. That problem is rape. It is a significant problem that faces our country, especially our teens and young adults. I am one, so if affects me to a great extent.

My friends and family are afraid for my life. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center says that 35 of 1000 college students that are women are raped each academic year. Also, 42% of college women who are raped do not tell anyone about the incident. There may be more because most victims are afraid to reach out and get help. Most college administrators repress the issue and put it off. I honestly don’t know if I would have the guts to stand up for myself and tell someone else if I was raped or not.

Another huge issue is how men that get raped are more put down than women are. The stereotype is that men are supposed to be “tough” and “hard”. Most people don’t even know that men get raped because of that stereotype. In fact, many people might be surprised to learn that 1 in 71 men have been sexually assaulted during their lives.

I am a senior in high school and I plan on attending college. It concerns me that I have to go out of my way to make sure I’m protected. For example, I’ve seen some movies that show the college had been giving their students rape whistles. The first movie I saw them in was, College Road Trip. This movie came out in 2008. The numbers should’ve been reduced by now. Thankfully, I have not been sexually assaulted, yet. Notice I said the word yet. I am trying to emphasize how this affects my life as an upcoming college student.

For some unknown reason, rapists do what they do because they either have a mental illness, or they have an issue with dominance. To try to assist with the correction of their behaviors, there should be background checks for students who are “out of line”. Most of the rapists are students who think they’re better than everyone else. Like, Brock Turner. I don’t get how he was given only 6 months and then to add insult to injury was released 3 months into his sentence for “good behavior” because he has a “bright future ahead” for him. I don’t see a logical reason why rapists get so little time in jail when they have ruined another person's life forever. There needs to be more jail time given to these people. There is no excuse.

In conclusion, rape is intolerable. There needs to be more justice for the victims. College should be a safe place where you can get your work done and party without fearing your peers, and I'm hoping you could initiate legislation to address this important issue.

Sincerely,

Kylie