SM: Do you ever fear that by not reporting it maybe he’ll do it to someone else?
Lindsay: I do. I struggled with that a lot when I was in therapy. It was another blame game for me—I didn’t do my part. I can’t continue to hold myself accountable for that, but what I can do is educate the people around me. Now I really like to use my efforts helping others.

SM: If you could go back, would you have reported it?
Lindsay: Yeah, if I was in the clear mindset that I’m in now. If I was still in the mindset I was at that point, no, I probably wouldn’t have reported again.

SM: What mindset?
Lindsay: I remember thinking I would encounter a lot of judgments. I went to the biggest church in my town. I remember thinking about being judged, being scrutinized for being in that position.

SM: You’re not the first sexual assault victim who not only blames herself but also fears that others will judge you—the focus is too often on the victim, not on the predator. What do you think that says about our society?
Lindsay: You hear so much about the woman’s role in the sexual assault and you never hear about the guy. I think when people react – she shouldn’t have been wearing that, if she would have been studying and not drinking, if she would have done a, b and c then... All that does is fuel the myths that surround rape. It doesn’t matter what happens, you don’t deserve it period.

Lindsay Young SM: What advice do you have for victims of sexual assaults?
Lindsay: By all means get help. I’m not even sure what therapy did for me but it did a lot. Make sure that you regain control of your own life, that you’re not afraid of being home alone and that you don’t check the door 13 times to make sure it’s locked. You can be cautious, but you can’t let it control you and think the world is an awful place because you will hate yourself and you won’t be able to experience all of the things that life has to offer. And you [would’ve] just let your attackers win. They would’ve taken control of your life.