High Profile Crimes Challenge Advocates to Deepen Public Discussion of Sexual Violence

When high profile cases of sexual violence garner media attention and prompt pointed discussions raised by case details, advocates have the opportunity to harness community concern and interest to deepen discussions and dialog about sexual violence. These cases can provide a context for prevention activities in schools, letters to the editor or guest columns, and other awareness-raising activities that point back to the need for well-funded services and prevention programs. Two such cases had the public talking in the fall: the attempted extradition of Roman Polanski for an assault on a 13-year-old girl and the gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in California watched by at least 20 bystanders.

The Roman Polanski Case

In 1977, celebrated director Roman Polanski pled guilty to "unlawful sexual intercourse" with a 13-year-old girl and soon after fled the country. He was arrested in Switzerland on September 26th at the request of authorities in Los Angeles who have long wanted to have him extradited, prompting a renewed discussion of the events that occurred in the 70’s in the context of Polanski as an artist. “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired” is a well-done documentary that goes through the case in detail. His recent arrest prompted comments from Hollywood entertainers including many who are supportive of Polanski as an artist and want him to be able to return to the U.S. without facing sentencing and others who question whether the incident—in which the 13-year-old girl was given sedating drugs--was “real rape.” At the same time, several bloggers and comedian Chris Rock commented on the case in support of the victim’s experience and pointed out the role of victim blaming in reactions to the crime. 

Gang Rape at High School Homecoming Dance

CNN reported that for more than two hours on a dark Saturday night in October, as many as 20 people watched or took part as a 15-year-old California girl was gang raped and beaten outside a high school homecoming dance.

This case raises obvious questions about bystander behavior—a key issue for sexual violence prevention. A national Latina victim advocate alliance, ALAS (Alianza Latina en contra la Agresión Sexua) also pointed attention to the use of racial and ethnic stereotypes in reporting of the crime. FCASV was one of many organizations that signed onto their position statement decrying the exploitation of sexual victimization for political agendas.

FCASV encourages advocates to stay abreast of high profile cases in their communities and nationally in order to tie public interest in the topic of sexual violence with key prevention and intervention messages.