Tonight on Dateline NBC: Brianna's story--must see...

[bliss_eternal]

another case of a young woman being raped at a party--but the system labels as "consensual." I'm watching it now...heartbreaking.
The story:

What happened to Brianna?
A 15-year-old says she was raped at a homecoming party. But why wasn't the case against her alleged attackers prosecuted?


By Ann Curry
NBC News
Updated: 8:04 p.m. ET April 15, 2006
This report aired Dateline Saturday, April 15


FLATHEAD VALLEY, MONTANA - On a striking autumn day in Montana’s Flathead Valley, in the charming resort town of Bigfork, it was a day eagerly awaited: Homecoming.

Among those in the stands was a 15-year old sophomore, Brianna Torres-Moore. She played volleyball and soccer, tried out for the school play, and was still “the new kid,” learning what Montana living was all about after growing up in Idaho and California.

But on that festive evening, as darkness fell and the cheers went silent, Brianna was about to go missing.

------------------------------snip-----------------------------------------------------------

For full story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12321918/

[bliss_eternal]

1. Wow--this is awful, it just gets worse....

No one believes her. What a mess. Sorry for the commentary, it's still on and as I'm watching I can't believe what I'm seeing. The whole "blame the woman" syndrome--very scary and sad. :(

The assholes released information from the investigation to the public, so that they (the public) would "understand" why they chose not to prosecute her case. They even spread lies that she gave boys lap dances the night she was raped. This is really making me sick--that poor girl.

:puke:

Oh, wait--a quick note, as the story is ending. One good thing seems to have come of it--the gov. of Montana signed a law, Brianna's law making it easier for underage girls to file rape charges.

[cally]

2. I just read the story

and it's sickening. The prosecutors just chose to not prosecute and smear the victim. I can't believe they released confidential information. :puke: I'm so tired of men protecting rapists.

[NMMNG]

3. Ugh

He said that he was not going to press charges because he didn’t want to haunt this kid with a felony that would follow him for the rest of his life.

Then why do we have police and a court system and prisons at all? After all, we wouldn't want to haunt people with arrest and prison records for the rest of their lives, would we? :eyes:

[bloom]

4. If you live somewhere where prosecutors are elected

- this is something to keep in mind when voting.

Newspapers could be better about letting voters know things like the prosecutors record on filing and prosecuting rape cases instead of dismissing them or pleading them to some misdemeanor. (Your local women's shelter may have stats).

Also - maybe more women should sue for damages. If cases are not going to be prosecuted - at least the rapist should have to pay for counseling which can cost a considerable amount - and punitive damages.

[bliss_eternal]

5. I agree--

I know many women would never even know they have such an option. I don't know how many attorneys/lawyers would even inform their clients they have this choice possible. Counseling is expensive, but I have a whole other rant about that.

It really pisses me off that so many counselors won't slide their fee scale, to take on the occasional rape victim/survivor. I've known a few in my life on a personal basis, that felt it was part of what they agreed to when they became counselors, to take on those that couldn't ordinarily afford their services. Because this was their belief, they chose to do so--and I'm sure helped some that probably couldn't afford them otherwise. Those that don't--seem to be all too willing to earn a living based on other's misery. :eyes:

Forgive me if there are any counselors here--my statements aren't all inclusive by any means. I know there are many counselors that offer their time to causes and people they believe in, and don't ask for a dime in return. Also ultimately, it is very difficult, challenging work--for the client and the counselor and some really just aren't capable of doing such work and know that about themselves.

There are some out there that my comments are reserved for, I doubt they would even have occasion to read this board, but if they did they would know who they are.

[Mad_Dem_X]

6. "Why didn't you fight him?"

Ann Curry asks once or twice why she didn't fight the guy(s). Um, what? They were probably a lot stronger than her, and she probably thought they'd hurt her if she fought. I hate when they ask stupid questions like that. My God.

[bliss_eternal]

12. She asked that question too many times

if I'm remembering correctly--then again, once was too much for my taste. How the hell can anyone ask someone such questions after the fact, as if any of the things they ask about could have possibly made a difference to the outcome. So insulting...

[bliss_eternal]

7. In light of the Duke cases,

I wanted to kick this up to the top for our review. It's no less relevant now than when this piece aired. When will we, as a society stop putting women through hell after rape?

Why must they be victimized multiple times when they bring the crime to light and ask that those that attacked her be punished?

When will this end?

[Cerridwen]

8. Not until we, as a society, stop relating sex with violence and

violence with sex.

I'm trying to read "Sacred Pleasure" by Riane Eisler, author of "The Chalice and the Blade." It's a difficult read for me, not because of how it's written, but because it posits an alternative was of thinking that we as a society have completely missed out on. It's painful for me to see how we could have been.

Anyway, until we can return the sacred to sexuality and remove the "sacred" from violence, we have the rape culture we have.

[ThomCat]

9. And yet

mentioning that we have a rape culture is a great way to get a reputation as an extremist kook elsewhere.

How can it be so obvious to us that our society enables and sometimes even glorifies rape, and yet most people don't see it?

[bloom]

10. If more people read more of the kick-ass feminist blogs

they might get it.


http://blog.iblamethepatriarchy.com/2006/05/14/ne-yo/

http://amananta.wordpress.com/2006/05/14/movie-review/

http://www.reclusiveleftist.com/?p=258

[Cerridwen]

11. I wish I had an answer.

I do believe many people do see that we live in a rape culture. I think of those who see it, some are terrified to acknowledge it, others are afraid they're perpetuating it. I see a lot of "guilty consciences" posting as "rape apologists" in a lot of rape related threads here on DU; men who appear to be defending themselves from charges never made against them, women blaming rape victims for being stupid or slutty.

I believe much of what I see around here, in the media, talking with people, is sheer terror. If we acknowledge we live in a rape culture, it requires a gargantuan shift in our collective consciousness (for lack of a better phrase). It requires we examine how we view violence and sex. It requires we examine our core values and those of our friends, family and community. It would mean we have to admit we are wrong and have been wrong for quite some time. I think the only thing more terrifying to people than change is having to admit being wrong.

Of course, I could be wrong here. :evilgrin: