NCJ Number
68994
Date Published
1980
Length
0 pages
Annotation
A RAPE VICTIM DESCRIBES HER EXPERIENCE AND HER REACTION TO SOCIETY'S INSENSITIVE TREATMENT OF HER SUBSEQUENT TO HER VICTIMIZATION.
Abstract
A SCHOOL TEACHER WHOSE HUSBAND WAS IN VIETNAM WAS ABDUCTED FROM HER APARTMENT AND RAPED REPEATEDLY, BEATEN, AND TORTURED. WHEN SHE SOUGHT HELP AFTER THE CRIME, SHE WAS TREATED CALLOUSLY BY ALL THE MEN SHE ENCOUNTERED--THE GAS STATION ATTENDANT, THE POLICE OFFICERS, THE EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR, AND THE FBI AGENTS. THE LATTER EVEN HUMILIATED HER FURTHER BY INTERROGATING HER FOR 3 HOURS, ASKING HER IF SHE ENJOYED THE EXPERIENCE, REFUSING TO BELIEVE HER STATEMENTS, AND PHOTOGRAPHING HER BODY. THE MORNING AFTER THE INCIDENT, SHE WAS STILL NOT ALLOWED TO REST OR BATHE. THE INSENSITIVITY OF CURIOUS NEIGHBORS, HER STUDENTS, AND PSYCHOTHERAPISTS ADDED TO THE VICTIM'S TRAUMA. ALTHOUGH THE WHITE, MIDDLE-CLASS OFFENDER WAS APPREHENDED, TRIED, AND CONVICTED, THE VICTIM WAS NOT APPEASED BECAUSE SHE HAD TO GO ON LIVING IN AN UNCARING SOCIETY. SHE NOW BLAMES SOCIETY FOR TRAINING MEN TO VIEW WOMEN AS POSSESSIONS TO BE USED IN ANY MANNER THEY PLEASE. FOR PART II, SEE NCJRS 68995.