Today in Rape Culture

[Content Note: Rape culture; police malfeasance.]

This is rape culture:
Until last week, Norfolk, Virginia police classified sexual assault claims to be "unfounded" — or not valid — by default. According to the Virginian-Pilot, a 22-year-old woman's case prompted Norfolk police chief Mike Goldsmith to update the policy so that officers must now assume rape victims are telling the truth.

The woman reported the attack immediately to police, only to be told, "If we find out that you're lying, this will be a felony charge." Before giving her a medical examination, officers subjected the woman to interrogations during which they said things like, "You're telling us a different story than you told...the other detectives," and "This only happened hours ago. Why can't you remember?" Having had enough, the woman cut off the interview.

The police eventually arrested and charged the attacker for multiple other sexual assaults and felonies.
The policy has since been changed, and "the department will also undergo training for post-traumatic stress disorder and rape trauma." But this is still a problem in many police departments around the country. And the world.

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