How Can Authorities Better Support Victims of Sexual Assault?
- Leah Massingham
- Mar 8, 2023
- 2 min read
Consent is a heated topic. Sometimes, lines can be blurry and boundaries can be pushed. But when it comes to sex there is clearly a distinction between yes and no. However, in between those two very bold words lay a myriad of grey ones. Phrases that demonstrate discomfort or uncertainty. These doubtful words need to be respected as a no just as clearly as the two letter word itself. In cases where these expressions of reluctance are taken as yeses, there needs to be consequences. Because that is rape.
Socially we’ve moved to accept that almost anything other than a clear yes, is a no. Yet, in a legal sense, blockades and loopholes remain that continue to allow rapists off, on the grounds of gross technicalities and ambiguities.
2.4% of reported rapes result in a conviction and only 15% of rapes are reported at all. It’s no wonder that victims refuse to come forward when they have a 97% chance of not being believed, listened to, or avenged. Moreover, 90% of rape victims knew the perpetrator before they were attacked, this means that victims often have to see their attacker again and again after their experience if there is no conviction.
But the lack of justice isn’t the only consequence of legal loopholes on a victim of sexual violence.
Being told that ‘I don’t want to’ isn’t an adequate retraction of consent blurs the lines between victimhood and guilt. It’s hard not to say ‘it was my fault’ when you’re told you didn’t do enough to stop it. Even referring to your experience as a rape can feel like stabbing yourself in the heart when you’re told that you can’t prove that any crime was committed. When you know that person is out there, possibly acting like they were falsely accused or possibly bragging that they scored you. Or, maybe they’re not talking about it at all. You feel sick with some emotion words can’t quite define. It’s not solely anger, it’s partly disgust, shame, a bit of violation. A cocktail of negative emotions knowing that out there is a person who stole a part of you that you can’t get back whilst they’re still whole.
It is a well known fact that resources within the police force are stretched, officers are overworked, and available support is insufficient. However, sitting in a police office being told you have no case because you didn’t say the exact word ‘no’ doesn’t really cut it after the violation you experienced five hours ago. It’s like a secondary kick in the stomach. There’s a residue feeling of exploitation that feels exacerbated by being told you actually have a sliver of blame in your trauma.
Fighting for justice is lonely. Not fighting feels like a failure. And I’m not sure if actually receiving justice heals any wounds. But after being assaulted, your entire life changes. Your outlook on the world becomes darker, and your perception of yourself shifts. It’s a life sentence from the moment it happens and the perpetrator shouldn’t be able to walk away without some form of permanent stain.
Charities to feel less alone:
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