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Shame or fear

In the recent article about the man who sexually assaulted a young girl, it said the attorney “asked the jurors to imagine how embarrassing and shameful it is for adult women who are victims of sexual assault to speak up — let alone a child.”

While I appreciate that he is trying to get the jurors to understand the victim’s situation, the terminology leaves the wrong impression. Something that is shameful or embarrassing means you have done something to cause you shame or embarrassment. Girls and women who are assaulted have done nothing wrong and only feel ashamed when others look at them that way.

It would be more appropriate to say, “Imagine how frightening and painful it is” or “Imagine the fear and grief for adult women.”

Let’s remember who is at fault here.

JANET COHEN

Williamsport

Submitted via Virtual Newsroom

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