Your experience matters; why it is important to believe survivors of assault

Trauma has a deep impact on our whole life. For many people, they describe life before trauma compared to life after trauma. It is not just the trauma itself that impacts a survivor, it is the support they receive around the event. In fact, the support received following a traumatic event is the biggest factor in someone’s resiliency.

Support matters. Seeing people matters. The recent documentary on Netflix, “American Nightmare” and the mini series “Unbelievable”, which is based on the true story of a teen survivor of sexual assault, portray just how devastating it is to not be believed.

I want you do know I am pro law enforcement. I am married to a first responder and I have worked with many law enforcement officers who are selfless and full of integrity. I am not just talking about the shortcomings of one profession or department. I am speaking to a cultural issue. Why are we so hesitant to believe victims?

In my personal life, I have had several conversations with others who fear false allegations. There is a belief that a woman scorned may falsely report a sexual assault for revenge or that individuals may falsely report for attention or care. And while maybe this happens occasionally it is incredibly unlikely. This is simply not supported by research as common practice. Only 2-10% of cases are found to be false reports. And even that percentage is likely inflated. Circumstances like, delayed reporting, insufficient evidence, victim indifference to injuries, and vagueness are often enough to classify an allegation as false (National Sexual Violence Research Center). And that’s out of the ones that are actually reported. By and large, most sexual assaults (around 60-70%) are never reported. And of those that are reported only about 20% are investigated. Less that 5% lead to any jail time.

It is astonishing right? But why? It may be partially because those interviewing victims have little understanding of trauma. If you have not read my blog on compliance as a survival response, take some time to view it now.  There may be a delay in reporting due to fear. Reporting often opens the victim up to further abuse, scrutiny, shame, and sometimes persecution.

It also may be due to a cultural benefit. If we can explain the assault based on what the victim did or did not do the world feels safer. This is only increased by a victim’s natural tendency to blame themselves (see benefits of shame).

This is not limited to law enforcement. Victim blaming is echoed in religious organizations, politics, and court systems.

To those who work within the justice system, I know that your job is immensely difficult and at times thankless. I am grateful for you. Those tasked with investigation must still be discerning and think critically. But what it we defaulted to compassion before condemnation? Perhaps we can be the compassionate witness, caring for the person while also seeking truth.

For those of us who are not in a position to investigate truth and carry out justice—let’s practice believing people first. I don’t need to know the whole story to love well. We can practice new assumptions and really see people, because people matter.

For more information on the statistics of sexual assault visit the National Sexual Violence Research Center or RAINN, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.