Client Experiences
The VRLC serves clients with a broad range of experiences.
Anyone can be a victim of sexual violence, and we are proud to serve survivors of all gender identities, sexual orientations, races, and religions in Massachusetts and Oregon.
Dylan
“Dylan”* was a junior in high school and enjoyed spending time with friends, playing on the soccer team, and acting in school plays. Dylan started dating “Jamie,” a classmate, as a sophomore, but they broke up during the summer when Dylan started to feel uncomfortable in their relationship. Jamie became angry and started harassing Dylan by calling, texting, posting and messaging on social media, and showing up in Dylan’s work parking lot. Two months into their junior year of high school, Jamie raped Dylan in the school’s stairwell.
Dylan’s grades declined. Seeing the rapist at school every day and trying to act “normal” had a significant emotional impact, and Dylan became depressed. Dylan stopped attending school, avoided friends, quit the soccer team, and started cutting. In desperate need of help, Dylan called a local rape crisis center, and was referred to the VRLC.
A VRLC attorney stood by Dylan’s side to prevent any encounters with the perpetrator in school. We helped Dylan secure a protection order against Jamie, represented Dylan in a hearing to protect all mental health and school records, and advised through the criminal process. Ultimately, Jamie was found guilty and sentenced to probation. Having a free attorney who believed and advocated for Dylan was critical. Dylan’s grades improved, the cutting stopped, and Dylan rejoined the soccer team on the field.
Jonathan
During exam week of his sophomore year of college, “Jonathan”* went to sleep early in preparation for his business final the next morning. In the middle of the night, he was awakened by Scott, his roommate, sexually assaulting him. Jonathan’s final exams were no longer a priority. He reported the sexual assault to a resident assistant, and moved out of his dormitory in fear. The college required Scott, the perpetrator, to take a short leave, but did not initiate a disciplinary process. When Scott returned from leave, Jonathan could no longer bear to attend classes out of fear of encountering him on campus.
The assault changed everything for Jonathan: his safety, his privacy, and, most of all, his education. Jonathan felt like his education hung in the balance, and he called the VRLC. VRLC attorneys contacted the school, informed them of the Title IX violations, and the university finally started a disciplinary process. VRLC attorneys represented Jonathan throughout the process, which ultimately found the perpetrator responsible for sexual assault and he was suspended. Additionally, VRLC attorneys negotiated with the college to have him reimbursed for tuition and to implement safety and privacy measures in place so he can safely engage in his education.
April
“April”* is a 60-year-old homeless woman living in a shelter in a rural town. One night, she missed her bus back to the shelter and had to call a taxi. The driver, David, and her chatted and they had a lot in common so they exchanged phone numbers. The spoke over the next few weeks and started to build a friendship. David invited April over to watch a movie at his apartment. When April arrived, David raped her.
April was scared for her life. He had driven her to the shelter, and knew where she was staying. She went to the local courthouse and was granted a protection order. Seeing how terrified and anxious April was about seeing David at the hearing, an advocate at the courthouse referred April to the VRLC. Having an attorney by her side at the extension order hearing eased April’s fears. The VRLC attorney secured a one-year extension that included keeping David away from the shelter. Following the hearing, April’s attorney guided her through various options to secure permanent housing, and connected her to a community partner that could help her through that process. April now has her own apartment.
* Names have been changed for privacy purposes