When Is The Justice System Going To Finally Stand Up For Rape Victims?

By: A Survivor Not a Victim
July 26, 2016

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When is the justice system going to start speaking up for survivors?!?!

Numerous rape cases present clear evidence, but many survivors, grappling with fear, trauma, or other personal reasons, opt not to pursue criminal charges and shy away from court involvement. BUT what about the MAJORITY of rape victims? District Attorney (DA) offices constantly refuse to press charges for the majority of rapes that are reported despite the victim’s dire want for justice. 

When are the district attorney offices going to stand against the beliefs of rape culture and society and attempt to gain justice for rape victims?

How are rape laws supposed to change if DAs don’t pursue the “tough cases.” The more “tough cases” they try, the more they will win. This will perpetuate more case law regarding rape, thus leading to more and more “tough case” convictions (eventually and obviously, it is going to be a struggle and a slow process, but it MUST start somewhere). The fact of the matter is that rapists don’t typically rape in front of an audience. They are counting on the fact that “he said she said” will let them off the hook every time; and it usually does.

The way it stands currently, no one in a position of power is looking out for victims. Victim advocates have EXTREMELY limited resources and influential connections and are rarely taken seriously by the majority of people who have the power to change the laws. In my opinion, agencies who hold power only deal with victims to look like they are concerned when, in reality, they are, in fact, they are not.

It is high time for a change in the justice system and the sexual assault units in police departments. When are rape victims going to be taken seriously?