Some fear chilling effect on women reporting rapes

[sheep_of_death]

By Susan Walsh, AP

NEW YORK (AP) - When Kristen Bakalar was pulled into a wooded area by a stranger and raped, three weeks after beginning college, she didn't think twice about reporting it.

It was only on the witness stand, as the 18-year-old was being quizzed about her sex life and about the precise color and length of her pubic hair, that she

Comments

[chasingtides]

As someone who's tried - this is all true.

[columbasimplex]

A thousand times yes, and more. I hate that so many of us are able to comment so quickly on how we've lived this experience - HATE IT. How are we going to unfuck this fuckery??? (She asked rhetorically... but hoped for an answer.)

[chasingtides]

I was in a relationship with him, the courts treat me like my gender is a goddamned reason to assault me, and the general attitude toward a trans* person who's raped while figuring out their gender is enough to actually make me puke on occasion. No matter how much I ever said no, who and what I am makes it my fault.

And that fuckery can't... I honestly don't know how to fix that shit.

[columbasimplex]

I can't say it enough, to everyone here (and, I guess, to myself too) - I am so, so, so sorry. It's fucking bullshit.

[mollywobbles867]

Glad to see this in a mainstream newspaper.

tw: rape/predator

[gloraelin]

This is why I'm not reporting my rapist even though he's a predator. Even though I know he was "importing" young women from CollarMe ... nothing would happen. I had a psychotic break. I trusted him. But since I didn't say no, was coerced into it, and am generally a kinky, sexual person.

Because even though I was not competent to consent... it's my fault. It's always my fault.

I'm not the perfect victim and even though my rapist CHOSE to rape, it's my. fucking. fault.

Re: tw: rape/predator

[columbasimplex]

I'm so sorry. I can relate. It's not your fault. I'm so so sorry.

[darkmanifest]

And of course the few comments on the article go straight to the "but what about false accusations?!" The article just fucking said that few rape accusations end in arrest, fewer in prosecution, even fewer in conviction, and the sentences are laughable. Men have little to worry about when they actually do rape someone, what are the so-called innocent ones so goddamn frazzled about? Jesus.

[sheep_of_death]

Honestly, I couldn't even bring myself to read the comments on this, given some of the other comments I've seen on stuff like this recently. :(

[lvsinsanity]

As someone who tried to report it (with horrible results) this is pretty on key with how police and people in general react to rape reports and it's disgusting.