What Kind Of Woman Won't Report Sexual Assault?

[ismnotwasm]

As Canadians and CBC listeners struggle to come to terms with the Jian Ghomeshi allegations, many are troubled or angry that his accusers didn't report their claims to the police for investigation. Unquestionably and unjustly, Mr Ghomeshi has been deprived of due process and the opportunity to face his accusers and make full answer and defence.

And Canadians have been deprived of an orderly resolution to a crisis of confidence in a beloved public figure.

And yet, as a former Crown prosecutor who's run many sexual assault trials, I'm not at all surprised that none of these young women reported their experiences (if they are true). Most members of the public, until they're in the situation themselves, don't understand the reluctance of women to report, and what they'll face if they do.

Trigger warning: This article contains information about violence which may be triggering to survivors.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/sandy-garossino/jian-ghomeshi-women-report-sex-assault_b_6059124.html

[seabeyond]

1. i read this a handful of days ago in latest. this issue. this is what stood out for me, i had not

thought of.

for people known. the fuckin attacks stopping reporting a fuckin crime. i mean we see the harassment for merely speaking. but. these women did not want to press fuckin CHARGES, because of the bottom feeding weiners on the net, harassing.

[seabeyond]

2. well. for sure. your article was much different then the small amount i read. wow. to that OP nt

[Manifestor_of_Light]

3. Many prosecutors refuse to bring evidence in front of a grand jury,

even if a sexual assault is reported. And they have taped evidence.
They have to protect those good Christian good old boys.
They could operate a sting, even. But they don't.

[ismnotwasm]

4. Exactly so.

And How many women could hold up to that barrage of victim blaming questions? And socially, the finger ponting? The "what were you doing there in the first place?"

It's often the same for victims of Domestic violence

[F4lconF16]

5. Thank you for this OP.

It'll be sent out to a couple people I know.

I truly never understood how a judge could sit there and let a woman be torn to shreds by a defense attorney, despite having little to no relevance to the crime. We need more women judges, and we need current judges to become aware that there is such a strong institutional bias against the accuser.

I'm not sure how exactly most local judges are brought to office (I think elections?), but if it is elections, this is why it is so critical to GOTV. People who don't participate in local elections leave us with insane right wing judges who believe in the right of men to rape. Even if it's not explicitly stated, it is clearly their opinions.

And people wonder why rapes aren't reported