The annual Take Back the Night event organized by SOS featured powerful stories about sexual assault Wednesday.
Among the people telling their stories was Kaila Mock, the owner of Trox Gallery and Gifts. She was raped in July 1999 after a party with friends. Mock had come home from a party and knocked on the window to her dad’s apartment but he apparently didn’t hear her.
Mock says SOS was extremely helpful through the process — but she also says the trial was as traumatic as the assault itself.
Mock’s assailant forcibly took Mock to a spot between Emporia and Cottonwood Falls, raped her and left her. She was 16 at the time and she says the assault had a longlasting impact on her.
Mock’s rapist had also sexually assaulted other women. He was ultimately convicted.
The roughly two-hour online program also included testimony from another victim who is currently going through the court process and information about trauma response, available resources for victims and assault reporting procedures.
SOS partnered with ESU THRIVE for the program, which is online at www.emporia.edu/live.
