Judy Rookstool   

This piece was inspired by a friend who disclosed an assault and the continuing emotional and physical violence in her youth.  It symbolizes the potential for all women to be subject to verbal, emotional and physical assault.  Victims, usually but not always women, can be any ethnicity, age, religion, appearance, stance, sexual orientation, body type or economic status.  The feeling of protection by virtue of class, race, or age is false.

 

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center,

1 in 6 U.S. women has been victims of rape or attempted rape.  And it is estimated that only ¼ of those crimes are reported.  Based on Department of Justice statistics, RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network) projects that every 92 seconds an American woman (or man or transgender individual) is sexually assaulted, with those aged 12 – 34 being most at risk.

 

Some believe women invite assault by being provocative, uppity, or rule-breakers.  The #MeToo phenomenon has mitigated that belief somewhat -- merely by the sheer numbers of those proclaiming -- but many, often including the victims themselves, are sure that some certain behavior or attitude encourages assault.  Victims can feel they are somehow responsible and may feel guilt and shame.  Hopefully, loved ones are supportive -- but can also project shame and responsibility, despite believing in the independence and competence of the victim.

 

Those who assault do so, I believe, as a means of humiliation, subjugation, and domination of their victim -- with varying degrees of accompanying violence.  Perpetrators seldom face justice, as this crime is difficult to prove and victims may be unwilling to endure the trauma of a trial. 

 

For those who are assaulted, this horrifying memory never leaves, and it influences, directly or indirectly, future actions.

 

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.4673