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| Dr. Jen Gunter |
If I were punched by an unknown man in an elevator there would be little doubt that my assailant would be prosecuted. If the trauma were enough to cause me to lose consciousness, meaning I suffered brain trauma, my attacker would likely be charged with aggravated assault. No one would be surprised if he received jail time. No one would think twice if he lost his job. However, if I were knocked unconscious by my husband or sexual partner it would not be unusual for my attacker to get a diversion, that is if he were charged at all.
This tragic reality of domestic violence has been on graphic public display with the Ray Rice case. Even though Rice’s victim, Janay Palmer who was then his girlfriend and now wife, lost consciousness from being beaten both she and Rice were charged with simple assault.
Ms. Rice has been treated cruelly by many, stated this is a private matter, and understandably feels victimized by the attention. Take away the publicity and this could be any domestic violence case.
That domestic violence is treated differently by the courts and the public from assault not perpetrated by a current or former sexual partner should shame every one of us. From neighbors who don’t call the police when late night pleading and screams drift from next door, to friends and co-workers who never ask about bruises, to buddies who don’t speak up when a man calls his partner “stupid” in public and are oblivious to her cringes, to police who just calm everyone down instead of making arrests,
Read the rest of this thoughtful article on Dr. Jen Gunter's blog.