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Date rape assembly informs student body

Date+rape+assembly+informs+student+body

Rape. It happens everywhere, even Piedmont.

On October 3rd and 4th, seven students performed the annual Date Rape Assembly for both parents and the student body.

Senior actress Sarah Reed-Guy said the stories are all true accounts, and most of them come from girls who were in school eight years ago in the acting class. That year, a rape occurred at the school, and the girls were not allowed to talk about it openly because it was in court. They did a play about date rape, and the girls came forward afterward with their stories. Acting teacher Kim Taylor has a lot of more recent stories form people who aren’t ready to have their stories acted out in the assembly.

“There isn’t really a way to talk about rape at our school. It’s kind of a taboo subject,” Reed-Guy said. “But the assembly allows us to talk about it openly and deal with the issue instead of just pretending it doesn’t happen.”

Reed-Guy said the seven actors and actresses would come an hour early every day and talk for a while. She said before she came on stage, she would just sit down and think about the story for a long time.

“It’s something about the words and knowing that they’re so true,” she said. “Kim has a folder with the hand-written copies of the stories. It’s just so personal, and I feel so honored that people came forward with stories and are allowing us to do this.”

Junior actor Grant Gadbois said he remembered how powerful the assembly was for him as a freshman, and wanted to be a part of it this year. Gadbois played the character of the “nice guy” who respected women.

“I think most guys at Piedmont would fall under that role,” Gadbois said.

Gadbois said the girls did most of the preparation because they had to get into a state where they were being like the character and telling a story about themselves. He said they all tried to be as natural as possible, letting the stories come out of them instead of just a script.

However, anonymous male parent said, “It’s not all about the girls, but the community as a whole.”

Senior Andy Slabaugh played the “bad guy”, who is usually chosen from the Varsity football team. He is not in the acting class.

“I just figured it was for the good of educating people, so I did it,” Slabaugh said.

Slabaugh said the hardest part of his role was having the audience get the messed up feeling across from the lines of his character. He said the stuff his character has to say is really messed up, and the reason people might turn down the role is because they are afraid of what the student body might think.

Senior Gavin Moscone was asked to play the part of the “bad guy”, but turned down the role because he said he “would feel uncomfortable being that guy and being such a jerk.”

Slabaugh said, “It’s different from a guys point of view. It made me realize where girls are coming from in terms of date rape, because even though I knew about it, I didn’t really realize how emotional it can be and how long something like date rape can stick with someone.”

Freshman Stella Thorson said she now feels more aware on what to do if anything happens or if she sees anything suspicious.

“I didn’t realize it was that intense,” Thorson said.

Reed-Guy said the assembly has made her more conscious of the issue of sexual pressure within our school. It’s real, but no one talks about it. It’s important for people to think about rape, what they want out of a relationship, and what their limits are, she said.

“Between guys and girls there needs to be dialogue and communication to make sure everyone is on the same page,” Reed-Guy said. “That is something that everyone can use in their life at some point, because a lot of times people push themselves too far and don’t talk about it. If you can’t talk about what you’re doing, why do it?”

Junior actress Talia Purnell said she learned the importance of getting your needs across to people no matter what judgments may come after. You’re not alone if you say no, she said.

Anonymous female parent said she really hopes girls will trust their instinct and have the power to say no, and that guys will understand respect that no means no.

“Don’t ever let anyone pressure you or force you into something you don’t want to do,” Gadbois said.

Slabaugh said to always be aware that date rape could happen to you even if you don’t think it would. You could end up having an experience like one of the stories told, he said. People need to be aware of their surroundings and always be careful.

“You have to be sure of what you want,” Reed-Guy said. “That’s sometimes hard, but if you don’t want to do something, there’s nobody in the world that should force you. Know yourself, and know what you want.”

Slabaugh said every year the assembly happens, it really brings each grade and the parents closer because we address an issue of our school.

Anonymous female parent said, “I hope this has the impact to make people feel like they have a supportive community about this issue.”

Slabaugh said performing in front of the parents was different because they come from a different background and often times don’t know what goes on in their children’s lives.

“It was more intense performing to the student body,” Gadbois said. “There were more emotions running through everyone.”

Slabaugh said he thinks people really look out for each other more now.

“In the end, it’s a very positive thing we do for the school and community,” Reed-Guy said. “It can be hard to watch, but I’m glad we can talk more openly about the issue.”

Reed-Guy said that there should be more open discussion about the issues at Piedmont High.

Photos courtesy Michael Short, SF Chronicle Photographer

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