Something Was Wrong

S25 Ep13: Chapter 3: Help Me

March 5, 2026

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  • The episode, \ 
  • of *Something Was Wrong*, immediately frames the narrative around the systemic failures survivors face, contrasting Title IX's intent with the reality of institutional betrayal, particularly when athletes are involved. 
  • Survivor Marissa's initial interactions with the Utah Valley University Title IX office were dismissive, focusing on the perpetrator's non-student status and failing to offer essential support like escort services, despite the trauma she experienced. 
  • The University of Utah confirmed they suspended football player Sion Lund after learning his identity, and he later pled guilty, though a judge ruled the university was not liable under Title IX because the assault occurred at a private off-campus party. 
  • Marissa faced an immediate financial barrier when told she had to pay \$4,000 out-of-pocket for her rape kit unless she pressed charges, highlighting a critical gap in immediate victim support that was only resolved by a friend's father. 
  • A University of Utah student, Marissa Root, reported being sexually assaulted by football player Sion Lund in 2019, leading to Lund's guilty plea and sentencing in 2023. 
  • A judge ruled the University of Utah could not be held liable under Title IX because the assault occurred at a private off-campus party over which the university lacked direct involvement or control. 
  • The case highlights potential systemic failures, as indicated by the police captain's surprising question to Marissa's mother about whether Marissa wanted to open an investigation after a year had already passed, and the minimal documentation found in Marissa's case file. 

Segments

Sponsor Reads and Content Warning (Unknown)
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  • Key Takeaway: None
  • Summary: None
Title IX and Athlete Assault Statistics
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(00:02:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Historical data indicates that male college athletes, despite being a small percentage of the student body, perpetrate a disproportionately high percentage of campus sexual assaults.
  • Summary: Title IX’s impact on expanding opportunities for women in athletics is noted, but the narrative pivots to the dark side of college sports culture regarding sexual assault statistics. Studies from 1996 and 2005 show athletes constituting 2-3% of the student population but perpetrating 14-23% of sexual assaults or attempts. Public reaction to these cases often vilifies accusers and protects high-status male transgressors based on rape myths.
Marissa’s Background and Culture
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(00:06:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Survivor Marissa grew up in an LDS (Mormon) bubble in Utah, fostering an environment where men were implicitly trusted and women were socialized to support them, leaving her unprepared for systemic failures after her assault.
  • Summary: Marissa introduces herself, stating she was raped in 2019 by an athlete she considered an acquaintance. She describes growing up in Utah within the LDS faith, which instilled a belief that men were inherently trustworthy and directional. This sheltered upbringing meant she lacked preparation for handling a crisis like sexual assault or navigating the systems meant to help her.
Initial Acquaintance with Perpetrator
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(00:11:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Marissa first knew the perpetrator, SL, distantly through a mutual friend, viewing him as a younger acquaintance until they reconnected at a wedding rehearsal where he was visibly intoxicated.
  • Summary: Marissa recounts meeting SL in high school and later hearing about him while he played football at Stanford. Their direct contact resumed at a mutual friend’s wedding rehearsal dinner, where SL was drinking heavily and asked Marissa for a ride home afterward. The next morning, he called her repeatedly, claiming a police officer had intervened after finding him shirtless and shoeless.
The Night of the Assault Setup
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(00:19:56)
  • Key Takeaway: The assault occurred at an off-campus party at SL’s parents’ house, which Marissa initially believed was a group hangout intended to facilitate a meeting between her friend Sarah and SL’s teammate, Jay.
  • Summary: Marissa details attending a party at SL’s parents’ house, noting the presence of alcohol despite the family’s LDS background, which SL attributed to his parents being out of town. She and her friends were waiting for Jay, whom Sarah had a crush on, but SL was acting incoherent and pushy. Marissa explicitly told her friends not to leave her alone with SL, anticipating unwanted advances.
The Sexual Assault
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(00:33:07)
  • Key Takeaway: Despite Marissa repeatedly saying ’no’ and ‘stop’ while SL was intoxicated and non-cooperative, the assault proceeded, characterized by physical restraint and SL’s assertion that he had been ‘waiting so long for this.’
  • Summary: Marissa recounts being lured to SL’s room where he immediately began undressing her, stating he had been waiting for this moment. She continuously communicated that she did not want to have sex, but SL reassured her while escalating physical contact. Her body shut down during the prolonged assault, and she only managed to escape after he rolled off her, frantically dressing and fleeing the house.
Immediate Aftermath and Friend Support
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(00:37:23)
  • Key Takeaway: After escaping, Marissa was too shocked to articulate the assault to her friend Olivia, but Sarah later confirmed that SL admitted to Jay that he proceeded with sex despite Marissa saying no, providing crucial evidence.
  • Summary: Marissa ran out of the house in shock, unable to clearly explain what happened to Olivia until they were driving away. Sarah confirmed that Jay stayed behind to speak with SL, who confessed to Jay that he knew Marissa wanted to stop but continued anyway. Marissa’s friends Jane and Sarah emphasized her emotional distress and the seriousness of the situation upon learning the details the next day.
Hospital Visit and Rape Kit Cost (Unknown)
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  • Key Takeaway: None
  • Summary: None
UVU Title IX Meeting Failure
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(00:57:30)
  • Key Takeaway: The UVU Title IX office failed Marissa by suggesting she had no police case, minimizing the need for safety escorts, and advising her best route was reporting to the University of Utah simply to ‘scare’ the athlete.
  • Summary: Following the hospital visit, Marissa met with the UVU Title IX office alone, where the staff member downplayed her situation because the assault occurred off-campus and the perpetrator did not attend UVU. He suggested reporting to the U of U just to scare SL and failed to offer crucial resources like counseling or campus escort services. Marissa noted the staff member’s comment about needing to ‘scare him so he won’t violently rape someone next time’ as particularly inappropriate.
University of Utah Response
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(01:05:17)
  • Key Takeaway: The University of Utah suspended football player Sion Lund upon learning his identity, and he eventually pled guilty, but a judge ruled the university was not liable under Title IX due to lack of control over the off-campus party.
  • Summary: The University of Utah’s official statement confirmed they suspended Lund after Marissa identified him, and he later pled guilty in 2023. However, the statement cites Judge David Barlow’s ruling, which found the university lacked the necessary nexus to be liable under Title IX because the party occurred at a private residence off campus.
Marissa Root Assault Case
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(01:05:33)
  • Key Takeaway: University of Utah football player Sion Lund pled guilty and was sentenced in 2023 for the 2019 sexual assault of Marissa Root.
  • Summary: Marissa Root reported being sexually assaulted by Sion Lund, a University of Utah football player, at an off-campus party in 2019. After her initial report, the university sought the perpetrator’s name, and Lund was suspended and removed from the team upon identification. Lund ultimately pled guilty and received his sentence in 2023.
Title IX Liability Ruling
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(01:06:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Judge David Barlow ruled the university lacked Title IX liability because it had no involvement or control over the private off-campus party where the assault occurred.
  • Summary: Judge David Barlow’s ruling stated the university had no involvement or control over the party held at the football player’s parents’ private residence. Reliance on the Players Policy Manual’s general instruction for players to treat women with respect off-campus was deemed insufficient to establish university control over the context of the private party. Therefore, the required nexus between the university and the off-campus event was not supplied, precluding liability under Title IX.
University Response and Support
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(01:06:08)
  • Key Takeaway: The university expressed commitment to violence prevention and fostering a trauma-informed community following the tragic case.
  • Summary: The university stated its commitment to engaging in work to prevent violence and foster a community where students feel safe, supported, and heard. The hosts expressed hope that Marissa and her supporters find opportunities for healing from the traumatic experience. This segment concludes the formal discussion of the case details.
Utah Valley University Comment
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(01:07:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Utah Valley University declined to comment publicly on individual Title IX cases due to privacy laws and institutional policy protecting all parties involved.
  • Summary: Utah Valley University responded to a request for comment by citing privacy laws and institutional policy that mandate confidentiality for individual Title IX proceedings. The university affirmed that the safety and well-being of its campus community remain its highest priorities. This statement was provided in response to the podcast’s inquiry.
Police Interaction Frustration
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(01:07:38)
  • Key Takeaway: Marissa’s mother encountered resistance and confusion from the police special victims unit captain regarding the status of the investigation after a year had passed.
  • Summary: During a call, a police captain asked Marissa’s mother if Marissa wanted to open an investigation, despite the family having been engaged in the process for a full year. The speaker noted that Marissa’s case file contained minimal documentation, with each report consisting of only about four sentences. The police captain acknowledged the frustration, stating the case should have been closed a year prior.
Podcast Credits and Support
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(01:08:32)
  • Key Takeaway: The episode concludes by thanking survivors, guests, the production team, and providing avenues for listeners to support the show.
  • Summary: The show thanked all survivors and guests for sharing their experiences and acknowledged the production team, including creator Tiffany Reese and associate producer Amy B. Listeners are directed to somethingwaswrong.com to share stories and can support the show by subscribing ad-free or purchasing merchandise.
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(01:10:08)
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(01:10:37)
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(01:11:09)
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