To the Editor:

Lindsay Nordell was correct in her mention of ways to reduce your risk of sexual assault (“Harvard’s sexual assault policy shameful,” 9/19). But her comment “they often suffer the consequences of their actions” is fundamentally misguided. Survivors of sexual assault are never to blame for the event. If a person is intoxicated and walks home alone he or she is not asking to be raped — it is still a serious crime.

Maybe more men and women would come forward about assault if people like Nordell were not so quick to place blame.

Barbara Wexelman ’03

September 19, 2002

The writer is a peer health educator for Undergraduate Health Services and a former photography editor of the Yale Daily News.