The people in these rape victim stories have been badly wounded by these events and yet have the courage to stand up and say what has happened to them.
One of the few academics to have looked into the issue in any detail is Lara Stemple, of the University of California's Health and Human Rights Law Project.
Once the fear circuitry takes over, it — not the prefrontal cortex — controls where attention goes.
It felt like a lethal inebriation; I wasn't sure if I would ever feel normal again.
This particular case, though, was a puzzle.
Inevitably, at some point during a traumatic experience, fear kicks in.
The square campus buildings appeared curved and moved in waves when I walked past.
I got lucky that I somehow made it home alone and relatively safely, but for many others, the outcome is much worse.