One of my favorite sources for Datingish inspiration is the New York Times wedding announcements. But
one such article on July 22 piqued my interest on a not-so-happy topic. Bridget Kelly and Eric Strauss wed on July 7, 2012 but they have been friends for nearly 10 years. The couple first met when Kelly was interviewed by ABC, where Strauss is a news producer.
The reason for Kelly's fame? Because, like thousands of other women each year,
Kelly was raped in 2002. But unlike many of these women,
Kelly agreed to have her real name revealed in the papers.
Until my Journalism Ethics and First Amendment Law class sophomore fall, I had no idea that the names of many sex crime victims are kept from the papers. As a journalism major, I found this rather odd.
Everybody else's name is reported, so why not the name of a rape victim?As a woman, I found it made some sense. Many women don't want the fact that they were raped known, which I think is to be expected. But some think that by normalizing victim anonymity, we perpetuate the idea that rape is something to be ashamed of.
Both sides make valid points, so I'm hard-pressed to pick and choose. Since it's such a personal issue, I do like the idea that it's up to the rape victim - although I have to admit, the hard-news junkie in me strongly disagrees. So I really admire Kelly's courage. And how wonderful that she finally found the love of her life!
What do you think? Should a rape victim's name be reported?
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Comments (65)
yeah, i'm generally in full support of taking a humiliating situation and letting the whole world know about it.
what the fuck happened to privacy?
Never!
I agree with the first poster and the second poster as well. I don't think reporting the rape victims name will "normalize" rape and make it any less shameful for the victim or for society. The only thing it would do is open the doors for more people to question victims about what they may have down to bring the rape upon themselves. If a rape victim wants to share their story, it is theirs to decide whom they want to share it with.
No and like another user commented, I also think that forcing victim's into having their names reported would also make some less likely to report the crime.
No, I don't think a rape victim's name should be reported. The act of rape occurring to someone is humiliating enough, having it in print doesn't make things better. I know if it happens to me, I would like to keep it private from the general public. Letting others know about this highly personal situation should be up to the discretion of the victim.
The rapist who committed the crime should be reported, so people can know to steer clear of the rapist.
@babybug329@xanga - I agree with the statement that victims should not be ashamed, but I strongly disagree that the name should be reported.
There are people who would look at me pityingly, those who would be nosy, those who would be uncomfortable, and sadly those who would be insensitive clods and make fun/ make jokes. If a person is comfortable enough to have their names published good for them it is their choice.However for those people who are truly traumatized/need therapy/just want to deal with what happened, I think they should be left alone and have their identity left private.@Guest - I agree with that completely. Release the name of the person who committed the crime, though I believe that the persons family members should be left out of it. I cannot stand when news articles list parents,siblings,grandparents and even cousins of these offenders.no they already went though enough. and it doesn't have to do with shame it has to do with, why would they want everyone to know? how would that ever benefit them? it wouldn't, it would only add more drama to their already complicated life.
The victim's name isnt printed out of privacy & protection. Ever hear of vendettas?
I think the rape victims name should be kept private unless they want it released.
I also think the accused should have their name kept private as well until he or she has been found guilty.
I don't even know why this is being fielded as a question.
Nobody believes their name should be reported. Hell I don't think the name of any victim of any crime should be reported unless it helps find a suspect in the case, and in the case of rape that would not be true as who it is, is irrelevant.
Along side that I actually believe in the case of any sexual abuse/assault trials that the name of the accused should be kept private as well. Not to deduct from the seriousness, but there are a number of instances where someone is wrongly accused, or are found innocent, and because of the extra level of taboo on such crimes, their lives are ruined. Simply because they were reported widely in the media. Not cool.
Either way, don't report names of victims. They deserve the privacy.
Victims have a right to privacy. Criminals don't. No suspects should be named until proven guilty. Whether or not this is "normalizing" anything is irrelevant to a potential infringement upon the victim's rights.
just to be clear, you're only suggesting this in the case of legitimate rape, right?
NO! Why would that even be a problem, it's no one else's business - besides from being aware and extra cautious.
It should be reported to the police, obviously, but not to the whole world.
Is it bothering anyone else that beauty is spelled wrong in the picture?
If I didn't want my name out there as a rape victim, then that needs to be respected! Especially if I just went through being sexually violated by some pig. If I wanted to share my name, then so be it. But it's no ones business or decision but mine to make.
No one's name should be released until a conviction is made.
for me personally, i wouldn't want my name in the paper as someone who got raped. i'd already feel horrible as it is because i couldn't defend myself against some piece of shit guy....i would feel embarrassed and ashamed of myself.
if other people feel different and want their names published, then that's totally acceptable as well, neither way is wrong, just a personal preference.
(this stance is for victims not the rapists obviously)
Let's publish the victim's name in the papers so all of her aquaintances, coworkers, classmates, and "friends" can question what she was wearing, can question whether or not she was drinking or doing drugs, can question whether she "tempted" the rapist, can question whether it was "really" rape, and whether she "deserved" it. Oh then all the woman's partners and children/family will know about it too. Sounds like a great idea...
@goingbackearly@xanga - yes, and I can't stand the writing. there is a lower case e in need, but the e's in the other words are capitalized. then they put a lower case i while the rest of the letters are capitalized! opportunity is missing a p
the disney loopy y is annoying
the p and r's look like d's. I want to scrunch up the entire paper. btw I love your dinosaur profile pic
@goingbackearly@xanga - Opportunity is also spelled wrong.
I also agree with what people already said. I don't support this.