OUR BELIEF IN SEX ABUSE SURVIVORS IS UNWAVERING
Journalism must not be based on myths, write Danielle Aubry and Deb Tomlinson
For the past 40-plus years, sexual assault and sexual abuse services have supported survivors and their families, friends, and loved ones. We know that survivors of sexual violence are of all ages, races, ethnicities and Indigeneity, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities.
In considering a response to the column written by Naomi Lakritz and published by the Calgary Herald on Sept. 26 we knew, as sexual assault services, that we needed to send a strong message. That message is: our support and belief in survivors of sexual violence is impenetrable and unwavering and we are committed to educating others about the harmful dynamics of this interpersonal crime.
And we are not alone. The Lakritz article received immediate, impassioned and significant feedback. The Calgary Herald website comment section alone showed a magnitude of responses from people who clearly understood the issue of sexual violence, its impacts and dynamics and most specifically, why survivors do not feel safe to come forward.
Representatives from Calgary media said they have never seen this type of response from a column. Unfortunately, it appears that the Calgary Herald cleared the comments posted Wednesday, of which there were many. They have since informed us that this was the result of a technical issue.
But that is not all. The Association of Alberta Sexual Assault Services (AASAS) has been measuring the social media reach of #ibelieveyou on Twitter and Instagram since Sept. 10. Wednesday morning, this reach was at 8.2 million, just over 24 hours later, it is at 13.9 million — all in support of survivors.
Sexual violence and its survivors have existed in silence and secrecy for centuries. It is only in the last three years that people are beginning to fully understand the complexities and extent of the harm that these crimes perpetuate. Harm, not only for individuals but for families, communities and societies, justice and health institutions. For some, this shift in understanding is challenging to accept; for others, it has created safety to come forward and speak their truths.
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse, other Alberta sexual assault centres, police units including the Calgary Police Sex Crimes Unit frequently receive historical disclosures from as early as the 1960s. We don’t have to look far for proof that delayed or no reporting is a common reaction with examples such as residential school survivors, survivors of hockey coach Graham James, Larry Nassar, U.S. Olympic physician, Bill Cosby, Jian Ghomeshi, among others. There is no statute of limitations on sexual assault crimes in Canada.
It is essential that everyone understands why survivors either delay telling or in fact, never tell anyone. There are several articles published in peer-reviewed journals on this topic so it is difficult to do it justice in an abbreviated format such as this, however, there are some key facts which must be stated.
Most sexual violence is committed by someone the survivor knows. Sexual violence myths support the idea that those who offend, do so against strangers. Most people, including survivors, do not want to believe that those who commit these crimes are their family members, friends, coaches, teachers, faith leaders, celebrities, employers, among others. These myths also blame survivors for what someone else did to them and excuse people who commit sexual violence for their own behaviour. Social norms also support the idea that most survivors lie about being sexually assaulted when in fact the rate for false reporting of sexual violence is the same as any other crime. Survivors internalize these myths, doubt themselves, blame themselves and are afraid to tell for fear that others will do the same.
So when articles such as Lakritz’s promote these misconceptions there is risk of great harm to all of us especially to our most vulnerable: children, adolescents and young adults. These populations are most at risk of sexual violence. Wednesday afternoon in Calgary, girls and young women read a news article written by an adult that dismissed sexual violence as “something dumb that you may or may not have been involved with in high school” and “irrelevant.” On the flip side, boys and young men read that sexually violent behaviour is just how boys are and that they will grow out of it. In fact, the majority of boys and men will never commit sexual violence nor do they condone it.
Are the values outlined in the Lakritz article the values we wish to instil in Alberta’s citizens of the future?
We don’t think so. This is certainly not what our sexual assault service agencies are reporting from their local communities across the province. What we are hearing is that people: want to discuss this issue and its complexities; have the desire to educate children about child sexual abuse and young adults about respect and consent; want to know about how they can help; raise money through car washes and garage sales for their local centres; and that communities want to support the expansion of sexual violence services especially in the rural and remote areas.
We believe in freedom of speech as part of a healthy democracy but also believe that journalism needs to be based on facts not myths. Publishing the Lakritz column was a careless and harmful act on behalf of the Calgary Herald. We know that people have been hurt as a result of this article. We also know that people make mistakes. We respectfully request that the Calgary Herald take responsibility for their decision and issue an apology.
If we truly want to end sexual violence, we need to educate people on the facts around this crime and above all encourage everyone to support survivors.
If you are a survivor of sexual violence, we believe you and we are here for you. For support and information, sexual assault services are here for you www.aasas. ca/get-help.
Sexual violence and its survivors have existed in silence and secrecy for centuries.