According to RAINN.org 14.8% of completed rapes are reported. With that, 6 out of 1,000 perpetrators are sent to prison. Why is the percentage of reported rapes so low? I'll tell you why, because we have created a culture of victim shaming, and idolization of the perpetrators based on who they are, or what they do professionally. That the attacker feigns stupidity about the definition of rape, or says sorry enough that mercy is granted to them.
The growing epidemic of rape and the continuous misrepresentation of the victim and the perpetrator needs to be fixed. That somehow the rapist is a good person, who deserves a normal life after the mess they've created. None more so than a specific group of people that we all know, that we all love, and that often those we aspire to be. We've all seen the headlines,Star Athlete Accused of Rape or Footballer poised for NFL Stardom squashed by Sexual Assault allegations. From those 2 fictional yet based on true headlines, what do they have in common? ATHLETES. The alpha-dogs, those who sit on a gilded pedestal...the favorites. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying all athletes fall under this category but the select few who believe they are the golden boys...this is for them.
In the Academy Award Nominated documentary "The Hunting Ground" which outlines campus rape and its victims, there is an entire 15-20 minute segment on athletes. Of the most notable was FSU's future Heisman-trophy winner, and 1st overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, Jameis Winston. Winston stood accused of sexual assault on a classmate, according to Deadspin.com, when reported, the file was said to have gone untouched for 9 months only to be investigated when a reporter from the Tampa Bay Times inquired about the NFL prospect and the incident. After a slipshod investigation that included lack of interviews, video proof, and the discouragement of reporters from delving deeper into the case, Winston was acquitted. I am a firm believer in our justice system in the sense that Winston was acquitted so I won't sling accusations and slander about him. I will however say that the mismanagement of the case due to his "celebrity" was egregious. That only after the football season had ended and he was set to graduate was he suspended. Eventually, FSU settled with the victim for a staggering $950,000 as stated by CNN.com.
For those who may require a more high profile case, Kobe Bryant. Hailed as one of the best pro basketball players to grace the courts was accused of sexually assaulting a 19-year old concierge at a hotel where he was staying. As reported by ThinkProgress.org, after asking for a private tour of the hotel, she emerged from his room 5 minutes after entering it disheveled, scared, and both she and Bryant had blood stained clothes. Following her report of the incident she was hassled by fans and media alike. How dare she accuse one of the greats of this?! By the end of this ordeal, after being trashed by fans, and the public, the accuser dropped the charges against Bryant. Her story was never heard in a court of law as she entitled all due to her accused attackers "celebrity" status and the love hes gained from fans throughout his now illustrious career. This "incident" was merely a blip on his radar as well as the nations. However, it was an excruciating ordeal for the alleged victim, that whether true or not, was never heard in the proper courtroom, merely the courtroom of public opinion.
I could write about more instances in which athletes were treated differently because of who they were, but that doesn't change too much does it? We all know about the Stanford Rapist...the star swimmer, who doesn't deserve to be called by his birth name in my opinion. Who was given a laughable 6 months because anything harsher would have a "severe impact" on his life/future. What about the victims? The people who were assaulted and did not have legions of fans vouching for their good character, who through no fault of their own were not star athletes poised for professional sport greatness.
I'm not calling for the social skewing of these accused athletes. I'm calling for awareness, and the FAIR treatment of anyone accused. It shouldn't matter who you are or what you do, you shouldn't be treated better or worse than anyone who doesn't share the same "celebrity" status.
Every 2 minutes an American is sexually assaulted. This either falls into the 14.8% of completed reported rapes, or the percentage of unreported rapes that is shockingly much higher. The belief that athletes are immortal beings and can do no wrong needs to be shattered. More importantly, a new culture needs to be created, one that doesn't shame the victim. How can i explain to my future children that Yes, you do matter. But in the eyes of greater institutions, some people matter just a little bit more.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault please call: 1-800-656-HOPE (National Sexual Assault Hotline)
