2008 Woodie Awards
UNL graduate takes the stand in sexual assault trial
Laura Chapman
Issue date: 11/13/06 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
"This must be a very scary Halloween for you."
These are the last words Tory Bowen remembers hearing from the man she alleges sexually assaulted her Oct. 31, 2004.
Bowen, a 2005 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said after a night of partying at Brothers Bar and Grill, she woke up in bed with then 31-year-old Pamir Safi, a man Bowen claimed she could not remember meeting.
Two years after reporting the alleged first-degree sexual assault, the case of State v. Pamir Safi went to trial in October 2006. But on Nov. 6, the judge ruled the case a mistrial after the jury could not declare a verdict.
Bowen decided to share what she believes happened.
Bowen said her story began on Oct. 30, 2004, when she and several of her friends went to a costume party at Brothers Bar and Grill, 1339 O St. Bowen alleges she remembered having some drinks with her friends, and then nothing until the she woke the next morning.
"I have no clue who this person was," Bowen said. "I've never gone home with anyone from a bar - that isn't me."
During the trial, Bowen's friends also said they could not clearly remember what happened that night, but said they were unable to reach Bowen because she left her phone and purse behind at Brothers.
Representatives from Brothers were unavailable for comment. However, a security tape from inside the bar was shown during the trial.
Bowen said after she woke up at Safi's residence, she asked the now 33-year-old man to take her back to her own apartment. Bowen said Safi gave her a set of clothing to borrow because the costume she wore the night before was covered in vomit.
While on the stand, Safi, who now lives in Omaha, said he and Bowen met at Brothers before he took her to his residence. Safi said he and Bowen had consensual sex, and he stopped when she asked him to. He said the two spent an hour in bed together before he took her to her apartment that morning.
Bowen said she told her roommate that she believed she had been "taken advantage of" when she returned home, and Bowen went to the hospital to be examined. At the hospital, Bowen said she spoke with a police officer. The officer looked up Safi's history and found two previous sexual assault allegations, but no convictions.
Both women who had previously accused Safi of sexual assault testified during Bowen's trial.
After spending a week in her room wondering what to do next, Bowen said she decided to press charges.
"My silence protected him," Bowen said.
Marla Sohl, UNL victim advocate and Rape/Spouse Abuse Crisis Center representative, said it was important for sexual assault victims to determine - on their own - the course of action they wish to take.
"Everybody responds differently to trauma," Sohl said. "There is no right or wrong way."
Sohl said the crisis center provides services for sexual assault victims, including assistance for people who need counseling, wish to file protection orders and need help starting court proceedings.
Bowen said she used the counseling services provided by the center and received faith and trauma counseling.
Jan Deeds, assistant director of student involvement and director of the UNL Women's Center, said students who believe they have been sexually assaulted should call the rape crisis hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"We're basically there to help victims regain control and feel safe," Deeds said.
After it was postponed a number of times, the case went to court for two weeks in late October and early November. Bowen said she spent 13 hours on the stand. She said it was a difficult experience for her because she felt as though she was being depicted as a "monster."
"With sexual assault, you don't feel like a victim," Bowen said. "You feel like a criminal."
The case will likely go to trial for a second time in spring 2007. Bowen said she was looking forward to the completion of the trial so she could move on with her life, but she would continue to promote advocacy for victims of sexual assault.
"It's been consuming," Bowen said. "Not a day goes by where I don't picture his face."
Sexual Assault information:
n 55 percent of sexual assault victims are under the influence of alcohol
n 74 percent of sexual assault perpetrators are under the influence of alcohol
n 84 percent of all sexual assault cases include an acquaintance
n 90 percent of sexual assaults among college-aged people include an acquaintance
n One in six women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime
n One in three college-aged women are sexually assaulted
n 16-30 percent of sexual assault cases are reported
If a person believes they have been sexually assaulted, they are encouraged to call 475-7273 to receive assistance.
Information provided by Marla Sohl of Rape/ Spouse Abuse Crisis Center and Jan Deeds of the UNL Women's Center.
These are the last words Tory Bowen remembers hearing from the man she alleges sexually assaulted her Oct. 31, 2004.
Bowen, a 2005 graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said after a night of partying at Brothers Bar and Grill, she woke up in bed with then 31-year-old Pamir Safi, a man Bowen claimed she could not remember meeting.
Two years after reporting the alleged first-degree sexual assault, the case of State v. Pamir Safi went to trial in October 2006. But on Nov. 6, the judge ruled the case a mistrial after the jury could not declare a verdict.
Bowen decided to share what she believes happened.
Bowen said her story began on Oct. 30, 2004, when she and several of her friends went to a costume party at Brothers Bar and Grill, 1339 O St. Bowen alleges she remembered having some drinks with her friends, and then nothing until the she woke the next morning.
"I have no clue who this person was," Bowen said. "I've never gone home with anyone from a bar - that isn't me."
During the trial, Bowen's friends also said they could not clearly remember what happened that night, but said they were unable to reach Bowen because she left her phone and purse behind at Brothers.
Representatives from Brothers were unavailable for comment. However, a security tape from inside the bar was shown during the trial.
Bowen said after she woke up at Safi's residence, she asked the now 33-year-old man to take her back to her own apartment. Bowen said Safi gave her a set of clothing to borrow because the costume she wore the night before was covered in vomit.
While on the stand, Safi, who now lives in Omaha, said he and Bowen met at Brothers before he took her to his residence. Safi said he and Bowen had consensual sex, and he stopped when she asked him to. He said the two spent an hour in bed together before he took her to her apartment that morning.
Bowen said she told her roommate that she believed she had been "taken advantage of" when she returned home, and Bowen went to the hospital to be examined. At the hospital, Bowen said she spoke with a police officer. The officer looked up Safi's history and found two previous sexual assault allegations, but no convictions.
Both women who had previously accused Safi of sexual assault testified during Bowen's trial.
After spending a week in her room wondering what to do next, Bowen said she decided to press charges.
"My silence protected him," Bowen said.
Marla Sohl, UNL victim advocate and Rape/Spouse Abuse Crisis Center representative, said it was important for sexual assault victims to determine - on their own - the course of action they wish to take.
"Everybody responds differently to trauma," Sohl said. "There is no right or wrong way."
Sohl said the crisis center provides services for sexual assault victims, including assistance for people who need counseling, wish to file protection orders and need help starting court proceedings.
Bowen said she used the counseling services provided by the center and received faith and trauma counseling.
Jan Deeds, assistant director of student involvement and director of the UNL Women's Center, said students who believe they have been sexually assaulted should call the rape crisis hotline, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"We're basically there to help victims regain control and feel safe," Deeds said.
After it was postponed a number of times, the case went to court for two weeks in late October and early November. Bowen said she spent 13 hours on the stand. She said it was a difficult experience for her because she felt as though she was being depicted as a "monster."
"With sexual assault, you don't feel like a victim," Bowen said. "You feel like a criminal."
The case will likely go to trial for a second time in spring 2007. Bowen said she was looking forward to the completion of the trial so she could move on with her life, but she would continue to promote advocacy for victims of sexual assault.
"It's been consuming," Bowen said. "Not a day goes by where I don't picture his face."
Sexual Assault information:
n 55 percent of sexual assault victims are under the influence of alcohol
n 74 percent of sexual assault perpetrators are under the influence of alcohol
n 84 percent of all sexual assault cases include an acquaintance
n 90 percent of sexual assaults among college-aged people include an acquaintance
n One in six women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime
n One in three college-aged women are sexually assaulted
n 16-30 percent of sexual assault cases are reported
If a person believes they have been sexually assaulted, they are encouraged to call 475-7273 to receive assistance.
Information provided by Marla Sohl of Rape/ Spouse Abuse Crisis Center and Jan Deeds of the UNL Women's Center.
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