Chapters 5 & 6
In Chapter 5 of Canary: the Washington Post Investigates, we listen to Carole’s parents’ long-awaited reaction to the assault, and in Chapter 6 we hear Judge Morrison’s friends and co–workers offer their opinions. As listeners, we might assume that their perspectives on sexual violence would be colored by their respective relationships to Carole or Judge Morrison. However, both chapters reveal similar themes of how sexual violence is perceived. When faced with a sexual assault allegation, all the individuals focused on the actions and reactions of the survivor and highlighted the perpetrator’s remorse.
When confronted with the fact that their close friend had sexually assaulted their daughter, Carole’s parents expressed how society can “crucify” the women who speak out and worries that Carole’s story will be “sensationalized.” A friend of Judge Morrison’s comments that she is “perplexed why 40 years later [Carole] is seeking publicity.” Yet another one of his friends said Carole’s story could “risk making the ‘metoo’ movement look less about justice, and more about revenge.” Carole is criticized for how she seeks justice. Everyone feels entitled to offer what they believe to be more suitable methods for reconciling sexual assault, like therapy or a one-on-one confrontation. Carole’s mother even reveals she confronted the Judge without Carole’s knowledge. No one asks Carole what she wants or how she defines justice. The best person to decide justice and the path to healing is the survivor themselves.
The interviews of Chapters 5 and 6 also focus on Judge Morrison’s remorse. Carole’s mother speaks about the “look of remorse” on his face after she confronted him at the airport and expresses her sympathy for the humanity of perpetrators. Judge Morrison’s friends point out his good nature, and even Judge Morrison’s correspondence with Amy Brittain focuses on his contrition. A powerful comment is included by Judge Morrison’s former co–worker Norman Schneider; he says while Judge Morrison “is probably suffering from his errors… that is not an excuse, [and] that is not an adequate punishment…”
The interviews in Chapters 5 & 6 reveal the need for a cultural shift in the how sexual violence is perceived and reiterates that justice can look different to each survivor. There no wrong way to find it.
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Discussion Questions
- Reflect on how you have reacted to stories of sexual violence in the media. What was your opinion on how a survivor shared their story? Did you judge how the survivor chose to pursue justice? Would you respond differently now?
- Consider how Carole’s parents reacted to the assault, both in their personal lives and in their interview. What did they do well? What could have they done better?
- Chapter 6 discusses the lack of oversight for judges. What recommendations might you suggest for criminal justice reform so that sexual assault victims might find justice in the criminal justice system?