Reporting sexual assault comes with risks
Iam responding to the many recent allegations of sexual assault and abuse in the media. The alleged perpetrators are men of power — their victims are not. Many have come forward since the recording of Donald Trump was revealed in October 2016. It is as if Pandora’s box has been opened for female accusers who previously had remained silent because they feared they would not be believed.
I understand this concern. Between November 2012 and May 2013, I was the repeat victim of profound sexual and physical assault by a convicted violent felon, and it seemed as if no one in the system believed me.
If this man had been arrested when I first reported the brutal abuse to the Santa Fe County Sheriff ’s Office, or even the second time I reported an assault, I do not believe I would be disabled today and living in government housing for people with the lifelong effects of traumatic brain injury.
A First Judicial District Court judge granted a 30-year protective order against my perpetrator. However, she also discharged me from my residence, where I paid the rent and all the bills. The perpetrator was allowed to stay in the home. Consequently, he stole my property and crushed to death my beloved Great Pyrenees.
The District Attorney’s Office initially pursued first-degree criminal sexual penetration charges against the man due to evidence collected by a sexual assault nurse examiner. However, after undergoing eight hours of interrogation by public defenders. I collapsed under the stress of the questioning and agreed to allow a plea deal so I wouldn’t have to face more questioning during a trial. Under the deal, the man was convicted of misdemeanor assault, and his sentence was suspended.
I am not only concerned about rape and abuse of women, but also the aftermath that women face. We have an expectation and right to count on the criminal justice system to protect us. In my case, I was so traumatized, I couldn’t think straight for a long time and felt as if I were being revictimized by the justice system. I felt blamed for being raped and beaten. During my experience, I met several women who said they were treated similarly. It’s no wonder women don’t want to report sexual assault and domestic violence.