The reason Elissa Mills ("Community's response to recent assaults lacks outrage, blames women," Nov. 12) and Marcie Grubesky ("Blaming assault victims not a correct response," Nov. 12) haven't gotten the reaction they expect concerning the recent assaults in State College is that others understand something they don't. If somehow a person manages to reach college age without being taught that things like murder, rape and assault are wrong, then no amount of extra lighting on Calder Way, extra police, newspaper columns, or even "Take Back the Night" marches will have meaning to these cowardly predators. There's only one thing these people understand, and that is violence.

Grubesky, these women who were victims of assault did do something wrong. They did not take responsibility for themselves by fighting back against an attacker. Mills did, but she reached the wrong conclusion. Women (and men) must take responsibility for themselves and fight back with whatever tool available. This even includes a firearm. The police are not responsible for protecting you. A stranger walking down the street is not responsible. You are the only one responsible for protecting yourself.