By Turning Points Network
In the wake of the recent public outcry over the outcome of the Wirkkala trial, it is more important than ever to talk about why we need to believe survivors, no matter when they decide to disclose their sexual assault.
According to the FBI, only 2% of all rape and related sex charges are determined to be false.
Why do we immediately question the motives of a survivor when they make an accusation of sexual assault? When did we become wired to disbelieve? Speaking up is not easy and when a survivor makes the decision to share their experience it is all risk and very little reward. Family and friends may not understand why they want to speak out or they risk upsetting an employer and losing their job. They open themselves up for judgement from skeptics who will pick them apart and judge how likely a “victim” they seem — or not. They face criticism of their character, their social and economic standing, every single decision, good or bad they have ever made. It all becomes fodder for the relentless court of public opinion – and in the end, despite speaking up, speaking out, their perpetrator may never face consequences for their crime.
“3 out of 4 sexual assaults are never reported.”
-RAINN(Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)
Many will question why survivors never choose to come forward. A study done by the University of Kentucky states that of all reported rape cases, only 37% are prosecuted, illustrating the uphill climb for survivors to obtain justice. A perpetrator must be proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. This makes sense. But how does one prove they were sexually abused for years as a child and grew up thinking it was normal? How does the survivor convey, in rational words, the irrational acts committed against them? What is fair about a victim of sexual assault, who is healing from trauma, having the burden of proof put upon them? What justice is there for the survivor in having to endure intensive physical evidence collection or go through months of trial prep or reliving their trauma as they recount their assault to a court room of strangers, only to then be relentlessly cross examined with the specific motive of casting doubt on their every word? For all of these reasons and more, survivors stay silent.
Perhaps the real question is: Why are we asking survivors of trauma to prove themselves?
Survivors don’t come forward for fortune or for fame. They come forward to seek justice for the crimes committed against them. They come forward because they have reached a place where they are able to talk about their experience to educate and protect others. There is no profit, no personal gain and we must remember — we risk nothing by believing.
When we believe survivors and give them a voice, we stop undermining the seriousness of sexual assault and send a strong message to would-be perpetrators. We also take crucial steps towards creating a safe place for survivors to heal and building a culture that rejects sexual assault and embraces consent.
OUR TURN is a public service series by Turning Points Network (TPN) serving all of Sullivan County with offices in Claremont and Newport. We provide wraparound supports for survivors of domestic and sexual violence, stalking and human trafficking and we present violence-prevention education programs in our schools. For more than 40 years, TPN has helped people of all ages move from the darkness of abuse toward the light of respect, healing and hope.
For information contact 1.800.639.3130 or www.turninqpointsnetwork.org or find us on Facebook.
TPN Crisis and Support Line: 800-639-3130 National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800-656-4673
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