Summary of S25 Ep2: In Shock

Overview of Something Was Wrong — S25 Ep2: In Shock

This episode of Something Was Wrong (Season 25, Episode 2: "In Shock") follows a college sexual-assault survivor—referred to as Luna—and traces her immediate choices and interactions with friends, family, medical providers, campus Title IX staff, campus safety, and local police. The episode combines Luna’s first‑person account with interviews from her mother and roommate, and interweaves national data and procedural context about SANE exams, Title IX options, reporting rates, and the common gaps survivors face when deciding whether and how to seek help.

Key takeaways

• Many survivors first disclose to peers, roommates, or friends; formal reporting (to police or Title IX) is much less common. National surveys show low reporting: roughly 20% of female college sexual assaults are reported to police; only about 25% of survivors use campus/community support resources.
• Survivors can typically receive a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SANE/“rape kit”) without being required to report to law enforcement; the choice to involve police belongs to the patient except where mandatory reporting laws apply.
• Institutional responses often feel disjointed, slow, or unsupportive. Luna experienced long ER waits (7.5 hours), a missing SANE nurse, a perfunctory or discouraging Title IX intake, ineffective campus safety response, and a clinical/unsympathetic police interview—while a civil court judge granted a protective/no-contact order that later was not enforced by the school.
• Trauma, shame, fear of not being believed, and practical concerns (injury, classwork) influence survivor decisions about seeking care, reporting, and continuing on-campus life.
• Academic staff can be a crucial support: Luna received accommodations that prevented attendance and grade penalties, which helped her continue school.

Episode narrative (chronological highlights)

• Luna is assaulted in a dorm room by a fellow student, Cody. Immediately after, she tells her roommate and the RA. The RA is a mandated reporter and reports the incident to the Title IX office.
• Luna struggles with denial, shame, and fear; she tells her mother and decides to go to the hospital because she is injured and worried about medical consequences.
• At the ER, staff check her in; she waits ~7.5 hours. A SANE was called but did not arrive; a trained staff nurse performed the forensic exam instead. The exam included external and internal swabs, fingernail and hair samples, and photographs.
• Luna submits a written Title IX statement, meets with the Title IX director who explains informal vs. formal resolution, and is discouraged by procedural language emphasizing due process for both parties.
• Luna obtains a civil harassment/preventive order at the courthouse; the judge grants a one‑year no‑contact order, which she finds validating and protective.
• She files a police report; her interview with a female detective feels cold, intrusive, and re-traumatizing (focus on clothing, forced photos, seizure of underwear/bras, clinical tone).
• On campus, the accused remains physically present in shared spaces; campus safety is slow/unresponsive to calls and voicemails, and the school enforces limited measures (e.g., not allowing the accused on her floor only).
• Luna receives academic accommodations from the dean (excused absences, extensions), which provide tangible help amid the crisis.
• The episode closes with mention that the accused is later arrested (teased for next episode).

Systems & procedures explained

• SANE exam purpose: provide medical care, document injuries, and collect forensic evidence. National DOJ guidance: these exams are available without mandatory police reporting in most states; patients decide about law enforcement involvement.
• Title IX pathways: informal resolution (voluntary, may include restrictions or remedies) vs. formal grievance (investigation, evidence review, possible hearing, timelines vary). Both involve processes designed for due process, different standards and timelines than criminal proceedings.
• Reporting statistics cited: AAU 2019 campus climate survey (most survivors tell someone, but only ~25% of women tell family; low campus reporting) and Bureau of Justice analysis (about 20% of sexual assaults by female college students reported to police).

Survivor experiences & institutional failures highlighted

• Medical delays and staffing gaps: long ER wait; SANE not available leading to a non‑specialized nurse conducting the exam.
• Re-traumatizing interviews: police questioning focusing on clothing, invasive photo documentation, cold demeanor from detective.
• Poor campus safety follow-up: calls unanswered, voicemail ignored, no proactive enforcement of court-ordered no‑contact; the accused continuing to be present created repeated retraumatization.
• Mixed institutional support: academic staff were accommodating and helped with coursework, but Title IX staff repeatedly emphasized informal resolution and due process language in ways the survivor felt discouraged and unsupported.

Notable quotes

• “For many survivors of sexual assault on college campuses, the first step is not reporting. It's deciding whether to tell anyone at all.”
• Survivor describing the hospital: “It was humiliating, but I felt safe. I was just doing my part.”
• On Title IX intake: “She kept saying the entire process that him and I are both entitled to due process…that was kind of the first conversation we ever had, and then she printed out a paper that had all of my rights on it and made me sign it.”

Practical action items & recommendations

For survivors:

• You can receive a SANE exam without filing a police report in most states—ask the hospital or SANE program if you want only medical/forensic care.
• Preserve evidence when possible (avoid bathing if you plan to do an exam), but do what feels safest for you first.
• Consider immediate supports: trusted friend/roommate, family, campus resources, and a legal consult if you want protective orders.
• Ask campus offices for academic accommodations in writing (extensions, excused absences).
• Document interactions with campus safety and Title IX (dates, times, names, emails).

For institutions (implied needs):

• Ensure timely SANE availability or alternative trauma-informed exam staffing.
• Train Title IX, campus safety, and police staff in trauma-informed practices (compassionate intake, explain why questions are asked, minimize re-traumatization).
• Enforce protective/no-contact and consider temporary removal or relocation of accused while investigations proceed.
• Improve campus safety responsiveness (phone lines, logged responses) and clear communication with survivors.

Resources mentioned or implied

• Episode notes (for content warnings, sources, resources): visit the episode page (somethingwaswrong.com) as referenced in the episode.
• Medical: SANE programs and local emergency departments.
• Legal: civil harassment/protective orders and criminal reporting options; consult an attorney for formal Title IX or criminal process decisions.
• Campus supports: Title IX office, dean of students, public safety, academic accommodations.

Credits: This episode is produced by Broken Cycle Media, created and executive produced by Tiffany Reese. Contact and support links are in the episode notes.