“The Accused”
Rape is a serious offense. Millions of women get raped and ignored because there are holes in their story. A rape is reported every 6 minutes in the United States, and every 1 rape out of 4 is a multiple rape. Millions of women get raped and don’t report it because it takes such a heavy toll on her after. This movie was the perfect example of when women aren’t taken seriously after being raped. A line from this film that I wont forget was, “Did what you were wearing make those guys think that you wanted to have sex?” How dare a man question a woman and imply that she wanted to be raped. This movie addresses the issue of rape and our judicial system in our society.
In the criminal justice system the victim was treated unfairly. Based on her past with drugs and alcohol, and social-class, she was judged. They almost regarded her as the criminal rather than the victim in the situation. As well, the society viewed her in the same way. The witnesses of the crime and the people she knew just determined it was her own fault. They stereotyped her and blamed her for the fact that she was the one who instigated it with her flirting and provocative attire. And because of that, it did not matter as much that she was rapped. For Sarah, she felt confidence in herself. She knew that even though she was intoxicated and stoned, what happened was undeserved and appalling. No matter what type of person this happened to, it was wrong. And she had the right to speak for herself when it came time to judging the men who had done the crime towards her. Once Sarah was given the chance, she proved to those who doubted her wrong. Overall, I found that Kathryn Murphy showed great integrity by the middle of the movie. It was obvious that she was a part of the criminal justice system when it came to assuming her situation and eagerness to get retribution for the crime the men in.
The men in the bar were having a great time. Sarah didn't even exist other than her body....