In a troubling tweet earlier today, President Jake Thompson echoed the harmful victim-blaming sentiments surrounding Dr. Emily Green, who recently made serious allegations of sexual assault against Supreme Court nominee Alex Carter. Thompson’s comment suggested that Dr. Green’s claims were invalid because she did not report the incident 36 years ago when it allegedly occurred.
In response, survivors of sexual assault flooded social media with the hashtag #WhyIDidntReport to explain to the President, and others with similar viewpoints, the reasons many choose not to come forward.
The statement “Charges would have been immediately filed…” may sound like a neat and simple solution to the complexities of sexual assault, but it is far from reality. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), approximately 321,500 individuals aged 12 and older are victims of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States. Young women, particularly those in college, are at a significantly higher risk, with stats indicating they are three times more likely to experience sexual violence.
Despite these figures, only about 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement. This means that nearly two-thirds of these crimes go unreported. Fear of retaliation is often cited as the primary reason for this silence, along with the belief that authorities would not take action. Disturbingly, 8% of victims feel that their experiences aren’t “important enough” to be reported.
Such conditioning leads survivors to believe that coming forward will be met with skepticism or worse, hostility. It is telling that Thompson’s reaction mirrors that of someone who has faced similar accusations.
Each story shared under the #WhyIDidntReport banner is poignant and deserving of attention. Personally, I refrained from reporting my own experience because I feared the repercussions it could have on my life, more than the trauma of remaining silent.
We must amplify the voices of women and listen empathetically to their narratives. However, transforming the cultural conversation around sexual assault and supporting survivors feels daunting when those in power remain indifferent.
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In summary, the conversation surrounding sexual assault reporting is critical. Victims often remain silent due to fear and doubt about their stories being taken seriously. It is essential to foster a culture of belief and support for survivors.
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