Rape: Wake Up, Girls!

It was just another night in the city for 18-year-old New Jersey residents, Jennifer Moore and Tara Keenan. They put on their mini skirts, sexy wedge-sandals and hopped into the car for the 30-ish minute drive into downtown Manhattan, probably singing along to the tunes of Gnarls Barkley and Shakira. They pulled up in front of their destination for the evening'a Chelsea bar'and made their way through the crowded room to the back.

By COED Staff

Unfortunately, the night didn't stay normal for long.

Upon leaving the bar at the end of the night, the girls found their car 'and only way home'had been towed. They went to the police impound lot to retrieve it, but after finding out they could not retrieve it (due to the fact that they had been drinking), the girls somehow got separated: Tara was escorted to the hospital for excessive drinking and Jennifer began roaming the streets of New York City alone.

Jennifer's body was found in a garbage dumpster in New Jersey yesterday. Medical investigators have concluded that the cause of death was a severe blow to the head and strangulation. Her alleged murderer'a man who has had repeated run-ins with the law'has been arrested. No one knows exactly what happened, but Jennifer was seen in both a cab and a hotel lobby with the man.

As I watched the story unfold on the news this morning, fear pumped through my veins; as a 23-year-old single woman living in New York City, I spend every weekend in places like the one where Jennifer and Tara had their last few drinks together. I go to the bar with friends, I flirt with men, I go home alone. Questions flooded my mind: What was she thinking as she walked alone so late at night? Obviously, she didn't think she was in danger. What was it like for her as she finally realized that something really bad was about to happen … that this wasn't just another night out with her best friend? Did she fight back? Did she even have a chance against such a large man? When she realized that her life was doomed, if she did ever have the chance to fathom this, did her mind provide her with any moments of solace? Thoughts of her family? Of her boyfriend who slept while she was being murdered? Of this fall, when she would be entering the University of Hartford?

What happened to Jennifer is a lesson that I hoped we had all learned earlier this summer when another woman, Imette St. Guillen, was murdered after leaving a New York City bar ' drunk and alone. It is yet another reminder that a woman walking alone at night is vulnerable. It doesn't matter where you are, how often you work out or how much you believe in the power of a woman. The truth is most men are stronger than we are, especially after four or five drinks. The truth is, if we were alone and a man wanted to do something to us, it is a near guarantee that he would succeed.

We are not safe; at least, not as safe as we think we are when we leave a bar alone and stumble home.

One of the things that scares me most about these rape and murder cases is that they seem to be completely unprovoked and random. It could happen to anyone. But what is really scary is the fact that these attacks can be easily avoided. By being aware of reality and staying in a group, women have the power to protect themselves. You don't need some crazy Tae Bo classes or a can of pepper spray (though I do think that is a good thing to have on you at all times) to stay safe; you just need to think. Be smart. Be aware.

The murder of Jennifer Moore is no doubt a tragedy for her family and friends. But for the rest of us out there'women and men alike'it has to be more. I think it is vital that we do more than simply read her story and sympathize with her family from afar. We must realize that we, too, are all vulnerable in some way and must do whatever we can to protect ourselves. Do not walk alone at night. Do not believe in the safety of your neighborhood. Do not forget what happened to Jennifer Moore.