University of Virginia Library

Memories Of A Rape

An Interview

By ELIZABETH JOHNSON

(Last March a University
coed was abducted near the
Law School as she was walking
to her dorm. Shortly thereafter
she was driven from the city
and raped. While wishing to
remain anonymous, she has
agreed to this interview for its
informational value to other
University women. To conceal
her identity her name was not
revealed to this reporter. The
interview was conducted over
the telephone with the victim
calling the reporter. – Ed.)

Q. Prior to the incident did
you have any fears about
walking around the Grounds?

A. No, previously I had no
fears.

Q. Did you take any
precautions at night?

A. I took the usual
precautions. For example I
usually walked with someone
at night.

Q. Did you ever utilize the
escort service?

A. No, I never did because I
really never had any occasion
to.

Q. Looking back, do you
see any way that your incident
could have been avoided or
that incidents like this could be
avoided in the future?

A. No, I don't think so. My
incident was really a fluke. I
see no way it could have been
avoided. More adequate
lighting would have helped;
there was very little lighting in
that spot – only one light at
each end of the street where
the accident occurred. Looking
back, it might have helped if
the barricade had been up
(open) that night. That way,
the person driving me home
could have dropped me off
much closer to my dorm.
There is really no need for that
barricade to be down (closed)
at night.

Q. How has the incident
affected you as far as walking
around the Grounds at night?

A. I guess I am more
cautious than before. I still

don't use the escort service but
I really don't have the need to.
I'm certainly more scared when
I walk around at night, but I
guess that can't be avoided.

Q. There has been much
national publicity about tactics
of police officers investigating
rape cases which suggests a lack
of consideration for the victim.
Did you find this to be the
case?

A. I think that's fallacious.
The investigating officers asked
no questions that were not
pertinent. The way they
handled the case was excellent.
I have nothing but admiration
and respect for them. I think
students have often criticized
them when they didn't deserve
it and given them unfair
treatment. They are genuinely
interested and concerned about
students and it really came
through in dealing with me.

Q. Was the fact that you
had to testify in court enough
to make you consider not
pressing charges?

A. No. It was a completely
closed hearing. Naturally it was
a bit of an ordeal, but it's a
necessary thing.

Q. Do you think it would
be for some girls?

A. I don't think so. I felt at
first that there was very little
chance they could be caught,
but the officers encouraged me
to go ahead and press charges.
The officers said that if they
got away they might try it
again and next time it might
lead to murder.

Q. Did you think you were
going to be murdered?

A. Yes, I did. I couldn't tell
what they were thinking.

Q. Do you think an
adequate job has been done of
keeping your name out of it?

A. I think so. One article
right after the hearing gave a
few too many details, but
overall I think an adequate job
has been done.

Q. Do you now consider
rape a more serious crime than
previously?

A. I've always considered
rape a serious crime.

Q. Serious enough to
demand a life sentence?

A. I think so. I think they
deserve it. Rape is a horrible
crime for a lot of reasons.
Mainly because it's so base and
animalistic.