KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasLocal Rape Victim Advocates Not Surprised
(Sep. 2) -- Local rape crisis counselors say they are not surprised that Kobe Bryant's accuser changed her mind about testifying. Most rape victims still don't report the crime, let alone cooperate with prosecutors.
Victoria Bruning, a victim advocate, says, "It's a crime no one wants to talk about." But rape is a crime that's happening in shocking numbers. Now one of every three females and one of every six males will be the victim of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault in their lifetime.
While the staggering statistics for how often rape happens may surprise you, it should come as no surprise that rape is the most under-reported crime. If a victim does disclose what happened, it's usually to a rape crisis counselor.
Victim advocate Victoria Bruning says our society still has a long way to go before most rape victims will feel they can come forward and be believed. "Most victims feel that when the crime is over and the prosecution begins, the real victimization comes in that phase. There's the stigma that she was acting or dressing provocatively, or he was in the wrong place at the wrong time," she said.
And as long as society wants to blame the victim, it will be a successful defense tactic in rape cases. Prosecutor Douglas Herndon said, "That's a huge defense in all types of sex offense cases."
The Clark County District Attorney's Special Victims Unit handles up to 400 new sex offense cases a year. Most never make it to trial, they are settled out of court. Of those that do make it to court, Prosecutor Herndon says it's not unusual for the victim to refuse to testify in court.
Given all the publicity and mistakes in the Kobe Bryant case, he's also not surprised this accuser changed her mind. "I'm positive that played a role in her mental state leading up to trial," said Herndon.
While some sexual assault cases can and still are prosecuted without a victim's cooperation, prosecutors say it makes it harder to get a conviction.
