Sleepers

This scene, taken from the movie Sleepers (1996)showcases the shame associated with being a victim of sexual assault. The four kids in the clip were sentenced to a year in a juvenile detention center, and while there, were sexually molested by the guards. They never told a soul, until 10 years later, when two of the kids came across one of the guards again. After shooting, and killing him, the truth came out in their trial.

Why did these kids never tell anyone? They were stuck in a horrific situation, and despite being visited by their friend, a priest on multiple occasions, they kept the truth from even him. They convinced their parents to not even come visit. To them, enduring the assaults seemed like a better idea than attempting to get out of the situation at the cost of telling everyone what had happened.

Shame is a powerful emotion. The feeling evoked by such a clear and profound violation of ones rights and privacy can overpower everything else. Any desire for prosecution, any need for help, is overshadowed by the desire for secrecy. To let no one know what happened, in fear of being judged. A fear not entirely unfounded in this society.

20-25% of women will be victims of rape, or attempted rape by the time they graduate college. Most people will deny this claim, say that the number is too high, despite it being a result of thousands of anonymous surveys from colleges all over the country. Police records will show a smaller number than the truth, because a vast majority of people never tell the police, or file a case after such an assault. Colleges will never admit the number of sexual assaults that happen on their campus because it'll deter applications.

So how can we change this? How do we get more people to come forward with their stories? To get the help so many of them need and deserve? How can we make scenes like the one shown in the movie the exception rather than the rule?

That's the easy part. We just need to listen, and to believe. To stop blaming the victim. Rid the rape myths from our own minds, and be there for those who have the strength to confide.

Understand the strength it takes to come forward with the experience of a sexual assault.

Respect the victim. Their trauma. Their story. Their emotions, whatever they may be.

No one should have to live in fear. Especially not the innocent victims of a violent crime.