To the editor: Eight years in the past, I used to be violently raped by a stranger. I used to be rushed to the hospital the place I quickly realized that the person who assaulted me was a recognized serial rapist, which I assumed meant he would shortly go to jail. I used to be unsuitable. In truth, in line with a 2018 evaluation by the Washington Put up, lower than 1% of rapes and tried rapes end in a conviction.
Within the months following my assault, I ran the gamut of feelings. At first, I hid my bruises and made excuses to keep away from family and friends. However quickly, I used to be unwavering in my resolve to face as much as my rapist. To guard different ladies.
However the Los Angeles County district legal professional’s workplace instructed me I used to be the primary sufferer of this man who wished to testify. It could proceed with fees provided that there have been no less than two of us. I used to be shocked. I wanted to know why extra ladies weren’t coming ahead.
So I joined help teams for survivors and spoke to numerous legal professionals and counselors. What I realized is that ladies suppose coming ahead received’t make a distinction. We’re instructed that testifying may really feel “worse than the rape itself.”
Frankly, I couldn’t consider I used to be listening to this. Within the post-#MeToo world, isn’t our objective to cease letting predators get away?
For eight years I waited earlier than he was lastly arrested and a trial date was set. The morning I testified, I used to be trembling from head to toe. I used to be terrified that I would depart the courtroom in tears and remorse from being instructed repeatedly how scary it could be.
However that’s not what occurred in any respect. I used to be questioned for 2 hours and I may have stayed on the stand for even longer as a result of it felt so good to lastly be heard — a lot in order that when the legal professional for the protection stated “no additional questions,” I used to be disenchanted.
It could shock individuals to listen to this, however I’m glad this occurred to me. As a result of predators have to be stopped. I wish to use my private expertise to embolden survivors to testify. I’m proof that you would be able to depart that courtroom feeling empowered.
All of us banded collectively underneath the #MeToo banner; now allow us to stand as much as our rapists and say #NoMore.
Shira Scott Astrof, Los Angeles
