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College instructor shows support for rape victim by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Friday, May 10, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com For most people, comforting someone who has been badly injured just seems like the right thing to do. Sadly, as one Oakville resident has noticed, when it comes to the injury of being raped, society still has a long way to go. Sheridan College instructor Nicolette Little watched the fallout from the much-publicized Steubenville rape case and did not like what she saw with regard to how the victim was treated, in the aftermath of the trial, by her peers and the media. The case revolved around a 2012 incident in Steubenville, Ohio in which two high school football players were tried for sexually assault of a 16-year-old girl who had passed out at a party. Much of the assault was captured on social media and widely shared. Little said she was greatly disturbed when the victim's peers expressed opinions that the teen shared some of the blame for what happened because of her level of intoxication at the party. Little was also shocked by some of the media coverage that focused on the "so-called tragedy" of the bright futures of the football players being tarnished by a rape conviction. "I can't imagine what she must be feeling with her assaulters being supported, in some ways, better than she has been," said Little. "I felt a lot of sympathy for this victim," said the resident. Little, who knows women who have experienced sexual assault, ultimately resolved to let the girl know people care about her and support her and after a few phone calls to the Steubenville police was able to contact the victim's attorney. The attorney told her they have been accepting letters of support and would be happy to accept letters from Little. "I've been getting e-mails from Ottawa and around Canada. I've been getting emails from everyday people, from people who themselves have been assaulted and they were offering the advice that it gets better and to stay strong and that it's not her fault," said Little. "Each e-mail is different, each one is written from a very different perspective, but they are very supportive and full of care and kindness and hope that the Steubenville victim will get better and know that people do support her up here." Little said she would send all these letters to the teen's attorney during the third week of May. Besides offering the victim non-judgmental support, the initiative is important be- cause it is raising awareness of issues related to sexual assault in society, said Little. "Statistically, one in three women will be assaulted in their lifetime," she said. "We have a progressive society, but it is not progressive enough. There are still ideas and ideals that we need to change," said the resident. Little has yet to write her own letter to the youth, but said when she does she will tell her how deeply sorry she is about what was done to her and that people here in Canada care about her and believe what happened to her was "disgusting and wrong." Anyone who is interested in sending a letter of support to the Steubenville victim can do so by e-mailing sheneedsourhelp@ gmail.com. Protect your family. Oakville resident Nicolette Little has begun a letterwriting campaign photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) Prepare for their future. We can help with both. Stop by for your free State Farm Insurance and Financial Review®. Get to a better StateTM. Get State Farm®. CONTACT A STATE FARM AGENT TODAY. Besides resolving to send her own letter, the college instructor has called upon friends, family, colleagues and others to join her in sending supportive letters to the girl. The instructor also spoke with the executive director of Halton SAVIS (Sexual Assault & Violence Intervention Services) who agreed to spread the initiative to the Ontario Coalition of Rape Crisis Centres and the Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres. Time is Precious, Mistakes are Costly and Decorating is Complicated. Darryl R Demille Ins Agcy Ltd Andrew J Heideman, Agent Angelo Gualtieri, Agent Bartucci Ins and Fin Svcs Inc Stacey Sutherland, Agent Darryl R Demille, Agent 905-829-0018 Deborah Bartucci, Agent 905-339-3276 905-257-7773 www.insuranceinoakville.com 905-842-1020 www.andrewheideman.ca www.angelogualtieri.com 905-337-3276 www.autoinsuranceoakville.ca www.darryldemille.ca Stephen Ostapchuk, Agent Michelle Cooper Ins and Fin Sv 905-238-5643 Michelle Cooper, Agent www.stephenostapchuk.ca 905-826-4900 www.michellecooper.ca Grant Leslie, Agent 905-469-4499 www.grantleslie.ca Daniel Durst, Agent 905-847-1898 www.danieldurst.com Inquire about your Personal Design Consultation. At Fitz by Design we are committed to creating breathtaking, functional spaces that are unique as the individuals living in them. statefarm.ca® 1201622CN State Farm, Canadian Head Office, Aurora, Ontario Call 905.334.3583 www.fitzbydesign.ca shona@fitzbydesign.ca