I’m sure I’m not the only one who will be compelled to respond to Michael Bochenek’s letter to the editor (“Rape accusation is very serious,” SN 2/22). I’m also sure that no matter what anyone has to say, it will not change his opinion, and that is fine. But his letter was so shocking I just had to say my piece.

I am sick and tired of a lot of things too. I’m sick and tired of being scared to walk down the street alone at night because, should I get raped, there would be people like you claiming I asked for it.

I’m also sick and tired of people like you taking a horrible experience like rape, trivializing it with your “Apple Pucker logic,” and making it that much worse for the victim.

Don’t assume you know anything about the fear and shame that women who have been raped or attacked feel.

I also have a few questions for Boy Genius Bochenek. Why does it matter what her relationship was with her attacker? Would it have been better if it were someone she knew and trusted? Because that happens too. Is that one of your exceptions to the fact that rape is a deplorable act? Is wanting to “suck face” an automatic green light for sex, consensual or not? Does your reasoning mean that everyone who has a drink at the bar wants to be, or would at least accept, being raped?

I guess I just don’t understand. Maybe I just need a big strong man to explain it to me when I get back from the tanner.

In the meantime, I am going to go out, have a few drinks and walk home by myself, because I have the right to do any of these things without the fear of being harmed.

Traci Whymer
supply chain
management senior