Letter: Support the victims

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on October 15, 2022

You may have read about the recent not-guilty verdict in the WCU sexual assault case in Chester County. We are writing as this coverage, like most coverage of sexual assault cases, may have the unintended consequence of triggering victims/survivors of sexual violence. For those victims/survivors who have either faced the same outcome or decided not to pursue a criminal case against their assailant, we would like to address the realities of these particular victims and the situations they confront.

Our criminal justice system requires prosecutors to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime has occurred. This a tremendous burden, particularly in cases where the only witnesses are the assailant and the victim/survivor. Most victims/survivors are deterred from reporting sexual assaults. In fact, statistics show that only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to police (i.e. 2 out of 3 go unreported). Of those 310 cases reported, only 50 will lead to an arrest, 28 a felony conviction, and 25 incarcerations. (see RAINN website @ https://www.rainn.org/statistics/criminal-justice-system)

An acquittal at trial does not mean a crime has not occurred, and it does not mean the assailant on trial is innocent, it simply means in the eyes of the twelve people on the jury, the prosecution did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the assailant committed the crimes with which they were charged.

Our community must continue to stand by victims/survivors, support their decision to report, provide support through the criminal process and provide a safe place for hope and healing, regardless of any criminal prosecution or verdict. When a victim/survivor has the courage to report to law enforcement, this not only brings the possibility of justice to the victim but it protects our community. Regardless of the outcomes of our criminal justice system, our community must continue to support victims/survivors of sexual violence and provide a safe, inclusive, welcoming space where victims/survivors are believed and supported.