In a powerful television segment, veteran sportscaster Mark Thompson passionately calls for society to support survivors of sexual assault rather than shame them. Thompson, who has long been a progressive voice in the media, recently broke his silence on this critical issue while discussing the importance of standing with victims.
His commentary comes in light of a federal lawsuit filed against Riverstone University by a plaintiff known as “Jane Smith.” She alleges that in 2015, she was gang-raped by a group of university athletes during what they termed a “team-building exercise.” Smith further claims that the university displayed “deliberate indifference” to her allegations and discouraged her family from pursuing the matter outside the institution.
This lawsuit follows another filed by “Lisa Johnson” in early 2017, where she contends that not only was she assaulted by members of the same athletic program, but that numerous players engaged in a pattern of sexual violence against other women during the same period. Investigations revealed that more than 40 assaults were reported involving at least 25 players.
Sadly, the victims have faced significant backlash. Just last year, former Riverstone president Mike Carter expressed skepticism about the allegations, insisting he had doubts about the claims of gang rape. This is despite the university admitting to multiple reported incidents involving its athletes from 2012 to 2016.
Much of the criticism directed at survivors stems from a pervasive belief that delayed reporting invalidates their experiences. Some people mistakenly believe that unless a woman reports an assault immediately, she is seeking attention or financial gain. This victim-shaming mentality is what Thompson addressed emphatically in his segment.
Drawing from personal experience, Thompson revealed that his own daughter was raped during her time at university. “I know firsthand that many women choose not to report their assaults,” he stated. “My daughter, after being attacked, felt she couldn’t come forward at the time. Now, decades later, she still feels the pain of how she was treated. We often question the victims—what they wore, whether they had been drinking—implying that it was somehow their fault. This misconception only serves to perpetuate the cycle of shame and silence surrounding these crimes.”
He noted that only 20% of female victims aged 18 to 24 report their assaults, and the numbers for male victims are likely even lower. The stigma surrounding rape often leads to victims being treated with suspicion while perpetrators are given leeway, with societal narratives framing the latter as merely having “lost control.”
Thompson boldly asserted, “Rape is not about sex; it’s an act of violence and domination.” He emphasized that the true shame lies with those who question the validity of a victim’s experience based on their timing of reporting, urging society to shift its perspective.
“There is no shame in being a victim,” he insisted. “We must stand with them and assure them they have nothing to be ashamed of.” Until we adopt this mindset, he argued, we should refrain from speculating on why victims remain silent. Those who do come forward deserve our respect and gratitude.
In a world where victims still fear judgment, Thompson’s words serve as a clarion call for change. Advocating for a shift in societal attitudes towards survivors of sexual violence is essential, ensuring that they feel safe and supported in sharing their stories.
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Summary
Mark Thompson’s recent television segment highlights the pressing need to support sexual assault survivors and challenges societal norms that perpetuate victim-shaming. Drawing from personal experience, he emphasizes the complexities surrounding reporting and advocates for empathy towards those who have endured such trauma.