Too much detail – I sat and read in horror all the specifics that were included in the front page headline story about the rape trial involving the woman from South Marion from one year …
A Response to Rape Trial Media Coverage
As a former journalist and Chronicle-Tribune police reporter, I remember the desire to report as many details as the police and courts made available to me. But now, as director of Hands of Hope, a division of Radiant Health I see things much differently.
What was reported in the July 21, Chronicle-Tribune edition with the headline Jury Selection Begins in Rape Trial, was horrific. I can’t even begin to imagine the emotional wounds it has opened for the victim, her family and her friends.
I do not want to believe that the reporter who wrote this story maliciously included all the specifics that were included. I recall as a young reporter fresh out of college that the more detailed the story the better, I believed.
But again, things have changed for me. As an advocate for victims for the past 21 years, I can’t sit idly by the sidelines and not speak out about the lack of sensitivity that has been shown by the article.
I feel a great sense of urgency, to educate not only the reporter and his editors, but the community, that there are serious consequences to including too much graphic detail in the newspaper about crimes.
Sexual assault is possibly the most violent and invasive crime a person could succumb to. There are various steps a person who has been attacked goes through on the road to healing. I would have to believe that the healing process may be greatly affected by this article.
There is also the potential chilling effect this article may have on other victims who will not report now because of the graphic details reported in the Chronicle-Tribune. This crime remains one that consistently is under reported.
It is because of the victim, her family, her friends and any other past or future victim, that I ask the Chronicle-Tribune and other media outlets to curtail the details and just report on the most basic of facts. The articles need to be written. The public needs to know the alleged suspects are being held accountable for their actions, but the specifics of what the victim went through are not details that I believe are necessary.
