Why #MeToo isn’t Surprising: Believing Women and the Evidence They Bare
The resurgence of the Me Too Movement recently has a lot of people talking. Sexual assault is, and has been, alarmingly prevalent. Over ten years ago, an amazing activist named Tarana Burke initiated the Me Too Movement as a grassroots campaign aimed particularly at creating a system of resources for women, particularly women of color, and particularly those in underprivileged communities who were victims of assault. With a slogan of “empowerment through empathy” it is hard to understand the delay in its viral-ization. #MeToo trended on twitter in response to the Weinstein scandal, and the flurry of accusations against other unacknowledged assaulter followed. Is Ms. Burke’s movement bringing forth a generation of victims who will be believed? Will her vision bring about substantial societal change? We can and should hope.
The issue of believing victims, and particularly believing women is now a hot topic. Unfortunately, it is a novel approach to our society to believe half of the population when they call foul. Believing women of color and intersectionality of women’s issues is a known problem within the feminist community. I believe Ms. Burke’s movement, and the viral-ization of it by Alyssa Milano are a challenge to assaulters and to those who would ignore the contributions of women of color in the fight for critical social change. There should not have been a ten-year delay in this traction, but I am grateful that it’s finally here.
The interconnectedness of social issues such as sexual assault, domestic violence, and multiple/mass killings is all too visible this year. Recently, a man shot his wife before entering and opening fire on children in their school. The mass shooter in Las Vegas had a history of domestic violence, as does pretty much any serial killer you can name. Gun control is a huge issue that needs to be addressed, but the underlying identifier in violence against strangers is violence against women in the attacker’s social web. Sending the message that assaults will be taken seriously is an important step in changing the American paradigm.
I cannot name a single female friend that was surprised at the number of women who tweeted #metoo, but every male media voice spoke about their shock at seeing the number. Even when women provide evidence, often reliving the vulnerability and terror of their assault to do so, their stories are de-prioritized. The reported statistics on victims of sexual assault, though suspiciously low, paint a grim picture: 1 in 5 women will experience sexual assault; TGQN students are at least 4% more likely than their non-TGQN peers; African American women experience sexual assault at a higher rate, but statistically report less due to treatment of their reports; American Indians are twice as likely to be sexually assaulted; the overwhelming majority of females with disabilities will fall victim, and a large minority of men with disabilities will likewise experience some sexual assault.
One way to fight the unspoken disregard for assaults against women? Mandate the testing of all rape kits, and especially the rape kit backlog.
So what is the rape kit backlog?
The backlog refers to the large number of rape testing kits held in storage – unchecked – in jurisdictions across the country. While there are considerations to take into account such as the cost, $500-$2000 per kit, and the availability of testers, eliminating the backlog would give victims a voice.
Every jurisdiction that commits to this goal makes a difference. For example, Detroit, MI has committed to eliminating the backlog, and extra funding has been provided. Though there are still over 11,000 exams that need to be tested, Detroit has processed over 10,000, matched DNA to 2,616 people, and has identified approximately 811 potential serial rapists. Funding and the effort of processing these kits sends the dual message of intolerance for sexual assault, and encouragement to survivors to come forward.
In New Jersey, sexual assault forensic exams are not automatically processed. Also, until 2014, retention policy mandated that such exams need only be retained for 90 days. The New Jersey Attorney General increased that to a minimum of five years with the possibility of indefinite retention at the victim’s request. Although retention of these exams won’t necessarily lead to their analysis, it does provide at least the possibility of closure for victims who underwent the intensive four to six hour processing. Despite the government shutdown in 2017, the New Jersey Fiscal Year Budget for 2018 will include $4.1 million towards funding services aimed at fighting sexual violence. Though a far cry short of other metropolitan contributions, any amount devoted to this cause is a help, especially considering the price tag for each forensic exam and processing. Unfortunately, the number of untested kits in New Jersey is unknown as is the status of testing. Many states are not required to, or not interested in, accurately accounting for the tests in their jurisdictions. Even more disheartening is the fact that, while such auditing, testing and processing of backlogged exams is proposed in current legislation, funding is not.
New Jersey’s neighbor is doing slightly better; as of April 2017, New York City has 42,578 exams dating back to the 1980s. It was awarded $2,075,142 in order to end the backlog. From 1999-2003 NYC worked to clear its backlog of 17,000 kits, which ended up costing $12 million, but resulted in 200 arrests and over 2000 DNA matches. New York state has 1,622 untested kits, and legislators have allocated an additional $500,000 towards the testing of such kits. Additionally, NY State Law requires the testing of all new and backlogged exams, periodic auditing, and funding.
The best thing about social change is that anyone can help, no matter the resources available. Those who are financially able can donate to End the Backlog, or local organizations that funnel contributions to such testing. Anyone with a phone or access to the internet can also contact their state and local representatives to voice concerns about funding and quick processing of these exams. Anyone can educate themselves about proposed legislation, or organizations that they can support.
The final thing I would like to express is that I know there are a lot of things to care about. I have my eyes opened everyday to things that were in my blind-spot. Even if all we can do is care that people have to deal with this in a real and personal way, it will change the social mindset. The more people who care, the fewer people who will turn a blind eye. So care about people you know and people you don’t, and do your best to believe those around you when they say “Me Too.”
Rape, Abuse & Incest Nation Network Statistics
Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence
NJ Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Dearth of Rape Kit Testers
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