‘Chain of Survivors’ commemorates rape victims



‘Chain of Survivors’ commemorates rape victimsWomynist
Collective sponsors Bruin Walk call for awareness

By Lena Hicks

Daily Bruin Contributor

Amid the clamor of Bruin Walk, a display banner reading "Attach
a link to the ‘Chain of Survivors’" caught the eye of several
traveling students last week.

A colorful assortment of construction paper strips covered the
table below the banner. Each strip represented the seriousness of
the issue of rape, but also symbolized the hope in rape
survival.

"The chain just shows how much support there is for rape
survivors … it shows that sexual assault doesn’t affect just one
woman. It’s a crime against all women," said Melina Hall Ranii, a
third-year political science student and member of the Bruin
Belles, a philanthropic women’s organization that assisted with the
activity.

The Chain of Survivors, sponsored by the Womynist Collective,
promoted the reality of sexual assault and commemorated rape
survivors. Hanging of the chain in the Women’s Resource Center on
Friday put a close to the string of events that marked Rape
Awareness Week.

The Chain of Survivors, an idea created by third-year history
student Petty Tsay, was the collective’s contribution to Rape
Awareness Week. For Tsay, the chain presented a message that
connects all people.

"I think that the different colors represents different people
of various backgrounds and they’re all linked together by their
support of the same cause," Tsay said.

Tsay recalled how she also survived a sexual assault. Last
quarter, a male friend attempted to rape Tsay in her dorm room.
Another friend came by Tsay’s room and helped end the incident.

"(The assailant) was one of my closest friends from high
school," Tsay said.

She recalled she had a difficult time dealing with her ordeal,
but later found strength and courage through the creation of the
chain.

"I felt that the chain was a way to show my gratitude to all the
people who are supporting me … I felt that the chain was symbolic
of how I had survived such a traumatic experience," Tsay said.

Organizers said the program was also intended to educate men on
the importance of rape awareness.

"I don’t think (men) perceive it as an issue in their daily
lives as women do," said Janet Guggemos, a third-year student and a
member of the collective.

The Chain of Survivors is on public display at the Women’s
Resource Center, located in Dodd Hall. Tsay hoped that the chain
will encourage people to visit the center.

"Hopefully, people will use it as a reason to come into the
center and perhaps talk to a counselor … maybe they won’t feel so
intimidated," she said.

From a survivor’s perspective, Tsay knows the fear of being
branded a victim. But she also understands that there is an
abundance of support, and hoped that other victims will gain
inspiration through the chain to seek help.

"I think (the chain) represents a long and difficult struggle,
but it gives you hope knowing that so many people will help you
survive," Tsay said.

A green link read, "Let it no longer crush you spirits … Let
it erase from your mind. Let your heart be free to love again."

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