FRONT PAGE

CAMPUS NEWS:
     ART SHOW
     PBS
     SUPERBAD
     READING
     JOBS
     LIGHTS

 IN-DEPTH
      ADDERALL
   
SPORTS:
    BOX SCORES
 
SENIOR PROFILE:
    GOULET
    
OPINION:
     CRISTAL
     BETH
    
RELATIONSHIPS:
     BEST FRIENDS?

BEHIND THE SCENES:
     MORRISETT
     CLARK
     MARTELL
     STAHL
     DANDREA

POETRY
     
FEATURES:
     RAPIST
     BALL   
       
PROFS:
     CARL BREZOVEC

HOMETOWN HERO:
    MICHAELSON


PAST ISSUES

Behind the Scenes: Erica Jordan

by Erica Jordan
Exchange Staff

     Everyone knows the dangers of the internet.  Whether it be incidents of hacking, distributions of offensive material to minors, or online predating.  In this case, I got a chance to talk to someone who was stalked online, and then raped.  Alexa is a girl I met through a friend when I visited her at college.  She introduced me to Alexa and we became friends via face book and she occasionally instant messaged me; when she was online.  I heard her story through my own friend, and decided to take action myself.  I sent her a face book message telling her how sorry I was for what had happened to her, and asked if she would be willing to share her story with me for a class assignment that would hopefully get people thinking about the dangers of the internet.  Alexa was hesitant at first because no one really knew about it.  She wanted to have a fake name used just in case.

     During the interview process, she showed me the 54 page conversation she had with Drew from 3 p.m. until 3 a.m.  It was hard to read some parts because of the graphic details, but interesting to see how an online predator made his attack.  He started out sweet, caring, nice, wanting to be her friend, but as I read on, I noticed little hints on how he wanted to come and see and meet her.  Alexa got a little emotional during the part where she explained the rape, but her mood lightened when she mentioned how glad she was when she kicked him in the groin.  I really learned a lot from Alexa and her story, and believe everyone should be careful on the internet, and not trust people too quickly like Alexa did.  Even though she felt good having someone to talk to, she got too close too fast, which turned unfortunate for her.  After the interview, Alexa was glad to have this off her chest, and to have it be read to a class of college students who may relate to situations like this.