Chapter 1: The System Failed Us
In Chapter 1 of the podcast, Lauren Clark describes the assault, the monumental impact it had on her life, and how she feels the criminal justice system failed her.
Rape and sexual assault survivors can face enormous barriers in reporting the violence and often little success in having the perpetrator arrested and prosecuted. Myths about sexual violence often permeate their case, a lack of evidence, credibility obstacles, alcohol and drugs are often used to facilitate the crime, and there can significant barriers resulting from a survivor’s race, gender identity, sexual orientation and/or economic status. In the United States, an estimated 1 in 4 women and 1 in 26 men have been raped during their lifetimes, yet almost 98% of rape victims never see the perpetrator go to jail.
Lauren’s experience was unique in that the perpetrator confessed, and was arrested, prosecuted, convicted and (albeit for an insignificant amount of time) went to jail. Disturbingly, it is also common for a perpetrator to assault multiple victims. The man who assaulted Lauren assaulted at least 6 women. According to societal standards Lauren did everything “right”, yet she still suffered the financial burden, emotional trauma, and the feeling of a lack of justice.
The criminal justice system often does not and cannot provide justice for rape and sexual assault survivors. This is why Victim Rights Law Center advocates for survivors to have access to civil legal options in areas like housing, employment, education, immigration, safety, and privacy to help survivors stabilize their lives post-assault.
Discussion Questions
- Sexual assault survivors are subject to a barrage of invalidating questions: Why didn’t you fight back? Why didn’t you report to the police? However, Lauren did. How does Lauren’s story impact how you think about pursuing justice for sexual assault survivors?
- Identify the different points in which you feel the criminal justice system failed Lauren. What allowed those failures to occur?
- Lauren describes reporting sexual assault as “signing up to be retraumatized.” How can we ensure that survivors have the support they need?
- People reached out to reporter Amy Brittain about the story she wrote in The Washington Post about Lauren. Why were people inspired by Lauren?
Listen to Chapters 2&3 to hear how Carole Griffin and Lauren Clark’s stories are intertwined,
and check out our guide to the next episodes!