For many university students, writing essays is a regular occurrence and a key part of their academic responsibilities. For some, the experience of writing an essay can be made significantly more difficult and traumatic due to experiencing an attack during the writing process. While rare, there have been reported incidents of students being attacked or threatened while in the midst of writing an assignment. Such experiences can understandably have profound psychological impacts and seriously undermine a student’s ability to complete their work.
In one reported case from 2013, a female student at a university in London said she was sexually assaulted in her campus library while sitting alone writing an essay late at night. The student, aged 19 at the time, said a man approached her from behind and groped her over her clothes before fleeing when she screamed. Understandably distressed by the incident, the student was unable to continue working on her essay. She had to submit an incomplete draft along with an explanation for her tutor. While her tutors were sympathetic to what had occurred, it still negatively affected her assessment for that assignment.
In another incident in 2018, a male postgraduate student studying at a university in Manchester reported that while working on his laptop in the campus cafeteria, another male student approached angrily accusing him of plagiarizing from an online source for his essay. An argument ensued and became physical when the accusing student slapped the laptop out of the first student’s hands, shattering the screen. A physical altercation between the two students followed with blows exchanged before others intervened. Both students required medical treatment and the writing student suffered a cut above his eye requiring stitches. He was unable to access his essay saved on the damaged laptop. Facing a fast approaching deadline and without back up of his work, he had to request an extension while rebuilding the assignment from scratch.
These types of direct physical attacks while students are in the middle of writing assignments appear to be quite rare. The psychological impacts can be hugely debilitating for victims. Aside from any physical injuries sustained, the trauma of being assaulted out of nowhere when focusing intensely on an important task can seriously undermine a student’s sense of safety and ability to concentrate. Feelings of anxiety and unease about being attacked again in similar settings are common aftermaths reported by victims. This in turn can seriously hamper their capacity to write essays and study effectively going forward.
Students may become wary of working alone, especially at night, in campus library or computer lab spaces perceived as less secure. They may avoid locations where the initial assault occurred and develop avoidance behaviors that restrict where and when they are willing to write. Some students report being constantly vigilant and on edge during writing sessions afterwards, making it difficult to achieve deep focus or flow states necessary for quality work. Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts about the attack can also disrupt concentration. All of these PTSD-like symptoms undermine productivity and performance.
Getting treatment and counselling is important for victims to process trauma in a healthy way and regain confidence doing important academic responsibilities again. Support systems like personal tutors, welfare staff and victim support services can help students get timely counseling or therapy. Support groups bring normalization and empowerment knowing others have overcome similar experiences. With professional help, adaptive coping strategies can be learned to manage distressing thoughts and safely re-engage in academic activities over time.
On a university level, bolstering security protocols especially late at night can help create a greater sense of protection. Better campus lighting, emergency call boxes and security patrols are reasonable steps. Sensitivity training for staff dealing with disclosed assault victims ensures compassionate support is provided. Strict codes of conduct make it clear any attacks on students will face serious disciplinary actions. These institutional responses send messages that student safety and wellbeing is a top priority.
While direct attacks during essay writing appear rare, the experiences of victims demonstrate the exceptionally damaging impacts such traumas can have on academic performance and mental health. With prompt access to counseling, understanding support systems and a responsive institution, these negative aftermaths need not define or derail a student’s entire university experience. With time and adaptive coping, full recovery is possible. A supportive community helps ensure future attacks can be prevented to the greatest extent, allowing all students to pursue their education freely and to the best of their abilities.