EDITORIAL: Believing the Victims

On Jan. 17, 2015, a Stanford University student, Brock Turner, was accused of raping one of his peers at a college party. After being charged by authorities, Turner’s case went to trial in March 2016 where he was convicted of three charges of assault. At his sentencing, the victim addressed him directly in a letter that revealed how one night resulted in a lifetime of pain. Although the prosecution requested Turner be sentenced to six years in prison, the judge sentenced him to only six months in a county jail with three years of probation. Turner’s short sentence was a direct result of a greater sympathetic attitude for the accused, rather than the victim. Favoritism for the assaulter is evident here and this lack of empathy for the victim results in many others not reporting the crime.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) reports one in five women and one in 71 men will be sexually assaulted within their lifetime and that before the age of 18, one in four girls and one in six boys are assaulted. These numbers are a cause for major concern, as young children and teenagers seem to be the prime targets for these assaults. While sexual assault obviously occurs at an alarming rate, the NSVRC also reports that 63 percent of cases go unreported to the police.

In light of the #MeToo movement, victims are encouraged to share their stories about past traumatic events. The movement was started by Tarana Burke after she created the nonprofit organization Just Be Inc., which helps those who have been sexually assaulted or harassed. Although the movement gives victims a wider platform to come forward with their stories, the response by the general population can be unsupportive. People sometimes blame victims for their own assault or don’t take them seriously at all. Furthermore, when assault cases are brought to trial, there are often instances when the accused does not receive a punishment that fits the severity of the crime. Cases such as People of the State of California v. Brock Turner are responsible for causing victims to remain quiet about their abuse. This is an issue especially considering the percentage of minors subjected to assault.

In 2012, Chaz Wing, a student at Brunswick Junior High School in Brunswick, Maine, revealed to his mother he was raped three times by a group of classmates. Although the school’s investigation determined rape was “unlikely,” it was later found the school knew the bullying against Wing escalated. When the Brunswick Police Department intervened and a child abuse evaluation was issued, signs of abuse were observed. However, to this day, the Brunswick School Department denies the assault ever took place. Although such extreme cases of neglect are not common, schools should consistently ensure students feel safe enough to come forward about assaults. They should also provide support for victims of harassment and abuse. While the offender is always at fault in any sexual abuse case, the American education system can do its part in preventing sexual assault by incorporating proper sex education into its curricula.

Sexual assault is a problem which needs to be addressed everywhere, the implications it has on society can no longer be ignored. Believing in the victim and taking the means to investigate the issue properly is necessary. Concern about how the accused’s life can be affected should no longer overshadow concern for the victim. As a bystander, intervening or at least reporting the incident should be considered a responsibility instead of a choice. All of these measures can help prevent more assaults and create a safer space for victims to come forward. If you have been sexually assaulted and are in need of assistance call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-HOPE to speak to a trained professional.