When I say I'm a huge Law and Order: SVU fan, I really mean that I'm obsessed. Like, literally. To prove it, let me just say that I ran across campus last night in order to catch the episode. And it was worth it. I have looked forward to this episode, titled "Behave", since I heard of its conception. And unlike some of the episodes that are purely creative writing, this one had it's base in a horrible truth - the rape kit backlog.
Some background on my dedication to sexual assault awareness. I spent the summer before college watching every Law and Order: SVU episode on Netflix. I fell in love, not just with the characters, but with the issues that the show took on. Before SVU, rape was a taboo, something that just wasn't talked about. Over the course of 12 season, SVU has changed that. One of the lead detectives, Olivia Benson, is played by Mariska Hargitay. She has repeated the story of how she went on to found the Joyful Heart Foundation many times. Most actors and actresses receive letters when they step into the spotlight and Mariska was no different. But instead of getting letters asking for autographs, she had letters from rape victims telling about their assaults for the first time. She founded the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2005, an organization that helps shed light onto the issues of rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence.
One of the pieces of jewelry that I never remove is a gold necklace that's proceeds went to the Joyful Heart Foundation - a small gold plaque with the word "FEARLESSNESS" inscribed on the front. The JHF has quickly become my charity of choice.
This most recent SVU episode is based off one of the JHF's survivors. She was raped multiple times, yet submitted herself to further humiliation by having a rape kit done, a four to six hour procedure, in order to try and catch the rapist. It sat in a police evidence room, never tested. The JHF's newest goal is to end the backlog of rape kits that is prevolent across the nation. Visit End The Backlog to learn more about this issue and how you can help.
By not testing these kits, law enforcement officials are sending two messages. One goes to the rapists, letting them know it is alright to continue committing these truly heinous crimes. The other, more importantly, goes to the victims, telling them that their case is not important. This cannot continue.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
First Week of Sophomore Year
My classes are going well, but it's just the beginning since I've only had them twice. This semester I have:
- Criminal Justice System on MWF from 9 to 9:50. By far my favorite class I've taken at college. The first class, we played an intense version of Clue and my group won candy for finding the murderer, murder weapon, time, victim, location, and motive first. The second class was filled with notes about the CJ system, but I can tell you that despite it being at 9am, I have found myself always excited for it.
- U.S. Literature I on MWF from 11-11:50. The professor is a graduate student that doesn't look at all like the typical professor stereotype. She's very off-beat and doesn't like the "normal" English class style.
- Introduction to American Politics on MWF from 1-1:50 and F 8-8:50. It's a large lecture class three times a week and a small recitation once a week. So far, very interesting, especially with midterm elections coming up. The other class, we got into a huge debate about the mosque near Ground Zero.
- Geology of the U.S. National Parks on MWF from 2-2:50. While it sounds interesting, it has become one of the classes I really don't look forward to. We're supposed to be looking at geology by examining various national parks. Mostly we have covered a lot about plate tectonics. I'm starting to get bored and I've only had two classes.
- Psychology of Learning on Th from 4-6:45. It meets once a week for two hours and fourty-five minutes. If I were still interested in becoming a teacher, I'm sure the information would be more exciting. But I'm going to suffer through it for the semester. The time is difficult not only because it's long but also because it runs from 4 to 6:45, also known as dinner time. I was STARVING after class this week.
- French Composition I. I dropped this. I took three years of French in high school, then stopped for two years. When the professor walked in and said that everyone would only speak French, I knew that Wednesday would be my only day in the classroom. Needless to say, I dropped it as soon as I got back to my room.
I also ran my first 5K today with my Mom. We did NOT come in last place and it was my first and longest run I've ever done. It was nice to have someone to talk with.
- Criminal Justice System on MWF from 9 to 9:50. By far my favorite class I've taken at college. The first class, we played an intense version of Clue and my group won candy for finding the murderer, murder weapon, time, victim, location, and motive first. The second class was filled with notes about the CJ system, but I can tell you that despite it being at 9am, I have found myself always excited for it.
- U.S. Literature I on MWF from 11-11:50. The professor is a graduate student that doesn't look at all like the typical professor stereotype. She's very off-beat and doesn't like the "normal" English class style.
- Introduction to American Politics on MWF from 1-1:50 and F 8-8:50. It's a large lecture class three times a week and a small recitation once a week. So far, very interesting, especially with midterm elections coming up. The other class, we got into a huge debate about the mosque near Ground Zero.
- Geology of the U.S. National Parks on MWF from 2-2:50. While it sounds interesting, it has become one of the classes I really don't look forward to. We're supposed to be looking at geology by examining various national parks. Mostly we have covered a lot about plate tectonics. I'm starting to get bored and I've only had two classes.
- Psychology of Learning on Th from 4-6:45. It meets once a week for two hours and fourty-five minutes. If I were still interested in becoming a teacher, I'm sure the information would be more exciting. But I'm going to suffer through it for the semester. The time is difficult not only because it's long but also because it runs from 4 to 6:45, also known as dinner time. I was STARVING after class this week.
- French Composition I. I dropped this. I took three years of French in high school, then stopped for two years. When the professor walked in and said that everyone would only speak French, I knew that Wednesday would be my only day in the classroom. Needless to say, I dropped it as soon as I got back to my room.
I also ran my first 5K today with my Mom. We did NOT come in last place and it was my first and longest run I've ever done. It was nice to have someone to talk with.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Sophomore Year.
I moved into my dorm room Friday afternoon and have already found myself bored. I'm here early to help with the First Night we hold for the freshmen on Sunday, but sitting around for two days is not helping me. Here's a picture of my half of the room. There's lots of pink in the room which makes me happy to see since it is both my and my roommate's favorite color. And I love the set up this year - sooo much easier with just two people instead of three!
My roommate had said the room was tiny but it really isn't that bad. We have a balcony that we can use for ourselves and we have a few chairs and a table out there right now. I spent most of the day today out there, listening to music, reading, and watching some freshmen move into the dorm across from ours. I bought my textbooks (except my French ones since I'm not sure if the level is right for me) and found out I had actually bought the wrong edition for one so I'll need to return it tomorrow. One of my classes this semester is Criminal Justice System and, needless to say, it's the one I'm most looking forward to. The textbook looks really interesting and I flipped through sections of it. Lots of law information in it which just makes me wicked psyched!
And to finish this day off, Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde just came on USA (which I am soooo glad to have back). I popped kettle corn and curled up in my pajamas for a movie night!
Tomorrow, I'm planning on going for a morning run before it gets too humid and making a run up to CVS for ingredients for trail mix to have in the room. In addition, I want to start seriously looking at law schools that might be reach schools for me in addition to surefire ones. It's tough right now since I only have my freshman year GPA and no LSAT scores, but if I can get a rough list, I can add and subtract them once I have more information.
My roommate had said the room was tiny but it really isn't that bad. We have a balcony that we can use for ourselves and we have a few chairs and a table out there right now. I spent most of the day today out there, listening to music, reading, and watching some freshmen move into the dorm across from ours. I bought my textbooks (except my French ones since I'm not sure if the level is right for me) and found out I had actually bought the wrong edition for one so I'll need to return it tomorrow. One of my classes this semester is Criminal Justice System and, needless to say, it's the one I'm most looking forward to. The textbook looks really interesting and I flipped through sections of it. Lots of law information in it which just makes me wicked psyched!
And to finish this day off, Legally Blonde and Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde just came on USA (which I am soooo glad to have back). I popped kettle corn and curled up in my pajamas for a movie night!
Tomorrow, I'm planning on going for a morning run before it gets too humid and making a run up to CVS for ingredients for trail mix to have in the room. In addition, I want to start seriously looking at law schools that might be reach schools for me in addition to surefire ones. It's tough right now since I only have my freshman year GPA and no LSAT scores, but if I can get a rough list, I can add and subtract them once I have more information.
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