Sobering infographic regarding Rape & Convictions

This comes from The Enliven Project and is based on stats from the Department of Justice and the FBI.  While not perfect, it does represent part of the stigma, uncertainty, and lack of access to getting justice many rape victims face regarding either 1) their decision not to report, or 2) their actual inability to report. Keep in mind that some victims may be limited by age, disability, or other situations, from being physically or emotionally able to report. It also bears noting that the "killing" of that effective program, VAWA, or "Violence Against Women Act" by the GOP-held House of Representatives, takes away some of the resources that enabled women to get the assistance from our justice system needed to put their abusers and/or rapists away.  And why? Because there was a feeling that the new bill, if authorized, would expand assistance to too many people--such as Native Americans or people who are in this country without documentation.  As if some people's victimization was worth less. As if their lives and physical and mental well-being were worth less.

I will note, because I've read comments regarding these stats in other fora, that the two people represented in the lower right are indicated as being "falsely accused", which is not the same as "falsely convicted". This may include persons falsely convicted, but it may also indicate situations where a rape did occur, but there was a case of mistaken identity where no conviction took place. This has no bearing on the seriousness of the assault, or the importance of hearing victims' stories about what has happened to them, and taking those narratives seriously. Several recent stories have given us every reason to believe that there is a genuine and painfully ugly rape culture in this country and abroad, where aggression with a sexual context is accepted and victims may be demeaned or even punished  over what has happened to them. This must change.