Jeanne Clery Act Complaint-The Ohio State University

March 29, 2004

 

During the early morning of February 22, 2002 my life was drastically changed forever. As a freshman at the Ohio State University, I became a victim of acquaintance rape. It is truly astonishing how minutes of one's life can affect the rest of its future. A friend from high school attacked me inside of his dormitory room, located in Smith Hall on the Ohio State University Campus. I just lived two dorms west from his in Stradley Hall.

I decided that it was my obligation to stand up against this man and prevent him from raping other women. That same day, I reported the rape to my hall director, Leon Stevenson. Mr. Stevenson listened to my story while taking notes. He called Officer Pam Temple from OSUPD to talk to me in his office. I explained what happened to me again, however she took no notes during our conversation. I have no recollection of her writing down my story, name, or even the marks on my neck. The Officer asked me if I wanted to file a police report. I had no idea what a report meant- did that mean I would be in a courtroom within days- face to face with my rapist? I was terrified. I was confused and I was totally clueless. Had I known the process or the importance of filing a report on the day of the rape, had someone- anyone explained anything to me, I would have filed a report on that day.

After telling my story, I was dismissed from Mr. Stevenson's office. I never heard from either of those people again regarding my rape. I went back to my dorm room immediately. Nobody suggested going to the hospital in order to obtain a rape kit or to protect myself from disease. I wish someone had explained the value of going to the hospital in order to secure evidence for a criminal case.

I was never informed about my option for holding the rapist accountable with the police.

I was not informed about my option for holding my rapist responsible at the university either. I was not informed about the possibility of filing charges at the Office of Student Judicial Affairs. I was not informed about the Student Advocacy Center. It was not until the next school year that I was informed about the Rape Education and Prevention Center on campus. I was not told anything. I had to find to seek out these resources on my own. The months following the assault would have been so much easier for me had someone informed me of the resources available on campus.

Both the rapist and I lived on South Campus where all dorms are within five minutes walking distance. As a result of the close living quarters, the remainder of my freshman year was spent constantly looking over my shoulder and hesitant to turn a corner. Simply walking out of my dorm was enough to make my heart pound rapidly. I wish someone from Residence Life had discussed the option of moving to a more distanced location where I could worry just a little bit less about running into my perpetrator. Moving dormitories would have saved endless anxiety, but instead I walked each step in fear. Nobody ever suggested any alternatives.

The first days of classes were the scariest because of the slight chance that he would be enrolled in one of my classes. I would cross my fingers and hope that I would not have to share a classroom with him. Little did I know that something could have been done to eliminate this ongoing fear. Nobody ever offered me an opportunity to avoid this fearful scenario.

I suffered seriously from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and eventually withdrew from all of my classes. Nobody informed me of any counseling or support for such a difficult, traumatic event. I found support on my own, and am still in counseling today.

Although Officer Pam Temple was called to Stradley Hall on the date of my rape, the Ohio State Police Department Crime Log does not list the crime until June 14, 2002, the date that the "official" report was made. Also it doesn't list when it actually happened, only the date I reported it.

My case was mishandled in numerous ways by the university. It was so disappointing to constantly learn more and more ways in which the university dropped the ball. It was bad enough to be victimized by a friend, but it only made life harder to be victimized, once again, by my university.

There are countless moments that will never be erased from my memory. I will never forget the day that I first read the detective's investigative report. I remember it so clearly; I was sitting in the Office of Student Judicial Affairs in absolute disbelief. Jenny Kline, assistant director of Residence Life reported several fabrications to the detective, which were written in the report. I am still, today, shocked at the bold lies that she told. She said that there was no dormitory report made, and that the sex was consensual. During my school hearing in September 2003, Jenny Kline testified and reported that her prior statements to the investigating detective were totally untrue. The dormitory report was presented to the panel of judges, and her two lies were confirmed as false.

In that same testimony, Jenny Kline revealed to the panel of judges that my perpetrator had been found guilty of sexual misconduct in a Residence Life Hearing. The hearing was held as result of a rape reported just three weeks prior to my attack. I was shocked once again. As his punishment, he was merely transferred from Baker Hall Dormitory to Smith Hall Dormitory. To think...my rape could have been prevented if only...

If only the university would have issued a timely warning regarding the reported rape which had occurred just three weeks before I was assaulted. The Ohio State University did not issue any warning after my rape either- the second reported rape by the same man within one month. Several women have told me that they, too, were sexually assaulted by the same man after I was. If only the Ohio State University would have warned its students...

I am positive that most students, just like I was, are unaware of their rights as victims of campus crime. Unfortunately I did not learn my rights until I found Security On Campus, a nonprofit organization started by parents whose daughter was raped and murdered because of what a university did not tell her. Connie and Howard Clery have made it possible for me, and other victims of campus crime to find courage, strength, and most importantly, justice. Daniel Carter, Vice President of S.O.C. extends his help and tremendous knowledge whenever he can in order to aid victims of campus crime in achieving their rights afforded to them by law. This organization has opened my eyes to the harsh realities surrounding acquaintance rape: I am not alone, it happens everyday, and it happens everywhere. Because of the Clery Family, universities are held accountable for their wrongdoings and forced to recognize change that is needed. I am so lucky to have contacted Security on Campus.

No student should ever have to endure the endless delays and injustices that I have. The Ohio State University should and could have prevented me from a life altering, horrible nightmare, but instead they simply moved the rapist to another dormitory. I was not afforded my rights as a student victim. The Ohio State University NEEDS to change. They have an obligation to protect and support victims of rape on their campus, and they are clearly not fulfilling their duties. The Ohio State University needs to empower victims of rape, not push them away.