Rape.
It’s an ugly, vile word that – with only four small letters, denotes multiple meanings. Some that come to mind are victim, aggressor, pain and superiority.
It is a bit ironic that that word, which encompasses two vowels and two consonants, offers the same equal division between the victim and the aggressor. Someone is right and the other person is wrong. Each person’s chance of being believed initially starts out at 50 – 50 percent.
That’s the difficult aspect of rape: it is one person’s perspective over the other; sometimes making rape difficult to prove.
As someone who has personally known individuals who were raped, I understand the uncertain feelings and complexities a victim may experience. It’s one person’s word over the other and generally the victim is afraid they did something wrong, which may “justify” them being raped.
For instance, I have a good friend who was date raped her first year of college. The day after the rape, she felt it was her fault because she kissed the man. My friend thought because she kissed this guy, she led him on, so him violating her against her will was OK – even though she repeatedly told him “no” and tried to fight him off her.
Because of that initial guilt, shame and uncertainty, my friend never turned the guy in despite my pleas for her to do so.
Several years later, my friend is an accomplished attorney who represents sexual assault victims. Through her work, she seeks to empower men and women who have been sexually assaulted. Her clients feel comfortable with her because she herself was a victim. Her efforts to help others have rid my friend of the years of guilt and shame she felt, first as a victim, then as someone who at the time didn’t have the courage to take a stand.
When I learned of Kimberly Hanks’ story this week, I instantly admired her for her courage.
Hanks, a physician’s assistant assigned to a hospital in Aviano Air Base in Italy says she was sexually assaulted by Lt. James Wilkerson, an F-16 combat pilot who was also an inspector general at the base.
Hanks and some friends went to a concert one evening and afterwards went to the home of Wilkerson and his wife, neither of whom she knew previously. Because it was so late, Hanks accepted the invitation by the Wilkersons to spend the night in the guest bedroom. As she slept, Hanks said she awakened to Wilkerson in bed with her and his hands down her pants. Court testimony says Wilkerson “fondled her breasts and inserted his hands into her vagina.” It was at that moment that Wilkerson’s wife walked into the room and told Hanks to “get the hell out of her house.”
Hanks filed charges, the case went to trial and the military jury ruled in favor of Hanks. Wilkerson was convicted, stripped of his rank and sentenced to 12 months in the military jail.
Two weeks ago a high ranking official, Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin, overturned the jury’s decision and cleared Wilkerson’s record. Wilkerson’s rank was also restored.
Congressional members are demanding an investigation of Franklin and working to pass legislation to strip a military commander’s authority to overturn jury verdicts.
When I learned of Hanks’ case, I immediately thought of the countless sexual assault victims – men and women – who never report rapes out of fear.
Such victims probably question the point of reporting an assault, particularly in the military because the powers that be ultimately have the say – even if that say differs from a jury’s verdict.
Instantly I called my attorney friend who had been raped. She said fear of retaliation is one of the main reasons victims are afraid to file charges against their assailant; particularly if that assailant is in a position of authority or leadership.
Those hard facts make Hanks’ courageous spirit even more remarkable. Because of Gen. Franklin’s actions to reinstate Wilkerson, Hanks agreed to release her name publically. Since then she has worked with an advocacy group that specifically seeks to expose military sexual assaults.
Victims of sexual assault should not be silent, nor should they blame themselves. On April 4 at 6:30 p.m., there will be a special presentation by the Kenyatta Dance Company called “Breaking the Silence” at the Madame Walker Theatre Center. The production addresses issues such as domestic violence, bullying, rape and human trafficking. The effort is presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and the Indiana Coalition against Domestic Violence. The Recorder is also a major supporter of the initiative.
Sexual assault, domestic violence and bullying, are all things that are rampant in our community. I encourage the public to attend this very powerful production. It will empower and motivate you in multiple ways.
You can email comments to Shannon Williams at shannonw@indyrecorder.com.
