1. Owen Labrie who we will also be examining in Chapter 9: Developmental Theories section.

The Collateral Effects of Crime

CNN News, August 28, 2015, Courtesy CNN

2. Jeffery Epstein – High profile, powerful, rich, with much influence and ‘friends’ in higher places in society. Examining how he was able to get away with his serial rapist crimes of young girls over an extended period of years while others overlooked his criminal behaviors.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2019/08/11/jeffrey-epstein-explainer-orig-mg-mc.cnn/video/playlists/jeffrey-epstein/

2. Harvey Weinstein clips- (use/abuse of power)

3. Me Too Movement – sexuality in the workplace and sexual harassment

4. Megan Kelly vs CEO Roger Ailes Fox News (first powerful woman to report on powerful man)

When we examine the victim of a crime it is imperative that the collateral damage be taken into consideration. Many crimes are underreported; thus, when a crime of a category is reported to authorities, there is much to be learned from the victim and the offender regarding the circumstances in which the crime occurred. Certain environments have a greater likelihood of having a crime occur than others. Certain individuals, due to their behavioral traits and general demeanor, may also present as appealing targets to potential offenders. We can also delve into details about the victim which could have led to the individual becoming a victim of crime in the first place. Understanding these defining characteristics about victims enables us to construct strategies to prevent future crimes from occurring. In the related video, we learn about the details of a sexual assault that transpired in an elite prep school, the relationship between victim and offender, and details about the crime which would enable the prevention of future crimes of a similar nature from occurring.
Why do some people become targets of predatory criminals? Is it because of their life- style and environment? Could the victim here have done more to protect herself or is it unfair to expect women to always be on their guard, especially when their attackers were trusted friends and schoolmates?

In many of these cases, the young women testified under oath that they did not consent to sex, but it seems like the jury did not fully believe her story. Did they unfairly blame the victim because they believed she should have known the consequences for her risky behavior, i.e., having a clandestine meeting with a teenage boy? What about the other cases (workplace/career related) Labrie, now 21, is requesting a new trial, claiming he had inadequate counsel. He must adhere to a strict curfew requiring him to be at home between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. In a sense his appeal suggests that he believes that he was also a victim: of an unfair justice system! Do you? What do you feel about the other cases and the “Me Too Movement” to hold those that commit such crimes accountable?

Victims and Victimization

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Victims and Victimization

MacNeil, Sheikh, and Khan, while talking about workplace sexual assault, state that the environment in which women or people are placed highly increases their vulnerability levels. Khan states that abuse of power in institutions among men, a culture that supports sexual assault, and choices to perpetrate sexual crimes create an environment in which many people, especially women, become targets of predatory criminals (CBC, 2017). Weinstein’s effect discussed among the three women shows how Hollywood’s environment and culture support misogyny and sexual assault perpetrated by Weinstein. Expecting women to do more to protect themselves would be difficult. The options would include going along with sexual advances or losing their hard-earned career and job opportunities. In the case with Weinstein, women sexually assaulted have minimal support and resources to protect themselves. This is because Weinstein’s work colleagues turn a blind eye on his predatory behavior, policies and institutions are almost obsolete, as they do not protect the assaulted woman, and women are left with either quitting the job or bearing with the assault.

The prep school case is slightly different, as the relationship between the victim and offender makes it challenging to convict one party, yet all were involved. Labrie’s victim was underage, 15 years and had a hidden romantic relationship and clandestine meeting. She confessed not objecting to him kissing her but denied sexual advances. The jury is justified not to believe her because both the victim and the offender had a close romantic relationship before, showing collective involvement (CNN, 2015). Nevertheless, Labrie was not a victim. He should have understood that his victim was a minor and was not supposed to assault her without consent despite being romantically involved. Even with married couples, I believe it is not justified to rape or sexually assault one’s wife if she does not give consent.

The sexual assault cases and the #MeToo movement show that it depends on the environment and culture a person is that determines their susceptibility. However, patriarchy abuse of power coupled with misogyny, and ineffective institutions/policies, influence predatory behaviors among sex offenders. I agree with Khan when she says, it is a choice and not ignorance that people make to be sexual offenders and others to watch and support that behavior while silencing victims (CBC, 2017).

References

CBC (Director). (2017). #MeToo movement | Thousands of women identify as victims of assault, harassment [Motion Picture].

CNN (Director). (2015). Ex-prep school student acquitted of felony rape [Motion Picture].