The Retraumatization of Sexual Assault Victims
Sexual assault has an immense impact on victims physically, psychologically, physiologically, and emotionally (Rousseau, 2024). These effects are long-lasting and oftentimes leave invisible scars on the victim that influence their ability to function throughout every day life. This trauma is not just the result of the actual act of violence; it also occurs when the victim reports the crime to legal authorities, discloses what happened to close family and friends, pursues future sexual interactions, and is close to those who remind them of their attacker.
When victims do gain the courage to report what has happened, they often encounter victim-blaming, disbelief, and general disempowerment (Feenan, 2021). Each time a victim is asked, “What were you wearing? Did you look at him a certain way? Did you drink too much? Are you known for being a risk-taker sexually? Did you yell and scream for him to stop?” they experience further heartbreak and disappointment. These questions represent an immense failure in our society which has caused people to shame rather than support victims.
Legal authorities are oftentimes the first point of contact in a victim’s reporting process. Despite a more recent push for law enforcement personnel to become trauma-informed, they often fail to manage issues pertaining to sexual assault cases with grace. During police interviews, many victims express feeling as though they mirror the unequal power balance that they felt throughout their experience with their attacker (Feenan, 2021). Oftentimes, the law enforcement officers will dismiss the victim, inappropriately press them for not immediately calling 911, or belittle them for having an initial point of contact with the perpetrator in the first place (Feenan, 2021). Sadly, the mishandling of these interviews often hinders the future desires of victims to report additional sexual assaults in the future.
Additionally, the entire trial process can provoke further retraumatization. Defense attorneys will often work to intensely discredit victims in an incredibly insensitive manner (Feenan, 2021). Obviously, it is important for all people to receive a fair trial and questioning is required to allow this to happen, but victims must be treated with empathy and respect. Problematic court proceedings may be more common in situations pertaining to intimate partner violence (Feenan, 2021). This may be because some legal personnel may genuinely be unable to comprehend that a trusted spouse or partner could possibly rape their significant other.
As present and future members of the criminal justice field, we must work to do better. As human beings, we must be better. By empowering victims to speak up, they gain access to resources and support systems which can enable them to recover from immense pain and suffering. While we may not all be equipped to bear the weight of a victims journey, we can lend an ear to listen and point out useful resources. Likewise, we can push for more trauma-informed approach to handling reporting.
Resources:
Feenan, L. (2021). Factors influencing retraumatization amongst sexual assault victims: a qualitative study of the criminal justice system.
Rousseau, D. (2024, February). Module 5. METCJ725. Online.