Outrage over assault dismissal
Born and raised in Homer, I found myself fortunate to have grown up in a loving, supportive, SAFE community which advocates for others and always held individuals accountable. However, disgust, shock, and rage are three words coming to mind when I think about the recent dismissal of the Resetarits trial.
As a trauma therapist working in Denver, I see individuals suffering from the effects of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment on a daily basis. One incident of assault will leave a survivor with potentially lifelong symptomology including anxiety, depression, fear, shame, guilt, drug addiction, physical scarring, social withdrawal, somatic illness, suicidal ideation, prolonged sadness, hatred toward oneself, and many, many more. And yet while this individual has to live with the sick choices made at a high school party, the three perpetrators are walking the streets? Let me ask you, how would you feel if your son, brother, friend, or even high school classmate had his head and eyebrows shaved then was brutally sexually assaulted?
These three individuals must be held accountable for their disgusting actions and sent the message that Homer will NOT stand for this type of behavior in our population, let alone our young people.
Unfortunately, our nation doesn’t take sexual assault seriously and frequently dismisses cases such as this one. I, along with numerous others, say NO to this case being dismissed. The charges need to be re-presented to the grand jury to prosecute these three men and others who may have been involved.
I also hope Homer’s educational institutions will take it upon themselves to start educating our young community about sexual assault, abuse, and harassment so they can recognize, advocate, and support each other. Homer has a strong community of people who genuinely care about each other and I am confident they will pull together in support of the survivor in this case.