A series of interviews which did not make the final cut of my documentary ‘Silence’ – about widely accepted rape myths and how they affect rape survivors. In this country victims of rape and particularly acquaintance rape are routinely disbelieved, blamed and treated in an insensitive and humiliating way which makes them seem more like the person on trial. Most victims never gain justice.
Original documentary: http://vimeo.com/23925562
WHAT ARE RAPE MYTHS?
Untrue myths and misunderstandings about rape that are widely accepted and acted upon by both the general public and members of the authorities such as :
Victim blaming – The victim was drunk, was out alone, wore revealing clothing, previously consented to sex, knew the attacker or stayed with him therefore it isn’t ‘real’ rape. Rape is rape.
Making excuses for the perpetrator – They were confused, couldn’t help themselves or it was just a simple mistake.
Making out that women are mad and lie about rape. The false report rate for rape is no higher than for any other crime.
The belief that if it was ‘real rape’ then the victim will gain justice. Rape cases aren’t even allowed a chance at trial unless it is proven beforehand that they are very likely to get a guilty verdict. That more or less means having video evidence as the amount of evidence required to reach court is extremely high. A signed confession in an acquaintance rape case is not ‘enough evidence’ to take it to trial.
Rape myths effect survivors in very serious ways.
CREW:
Director, Producer, Camera, Sound and Editor: L.Connett
Boom Assistant: D. Carter
CAST:
J. Holder – Degree in social sciences, University of Wolverhampton.
S. Xuereb – Senior lecturer in Psychology, University of Bolton.
S. Connett – Sister.
C. Connett – Mother.
Copyright, L. Connett at The University of Bolton, 2011.
