In the Newsweek article "When Rape Goes Viral," I was most surprised by the willingness and even eagerness of perpetrators to post their crimes online as photos or videos. Whether or not the posting of these videos and photos is a good thing is very complicated and multifaceted. Of course, I think it is important to bring anyone who has committed a sex crime to justice. When a video of a crime goes viral via social media, the likelihood of a conviction is heightened greatly. At the same time, is a perpetrator being brought to justice worth the further violation of privacy to the crime's victim? I don't think it is.
When a video of a crime goes viral online, it allows for a lot of negative attention to all parties involved. Focusing on the victim, it was noted in the article that people will post victim-blaming comments. These comments can be read by anyone and certainly could stay with a victim for their entire lives. Generally speaking, videos and photographs of murders are not passed around on Facebook. Why should media of sexual crimes be different?
Brian, I completely agree with your final statement. The way that it is put is perfectly and I don't think anyone else could say it in better words. Crimes are crimes, but they don't all fall in the same categories. Your question really is a lingerer and I think more people should think in that aspect. No one knows the damage that happens within the victim of a sexual assault crime. Specific stories about a certain victim is disgusting to me. Going back to your question, it is true. On social media sights, and on the news, there are no photographs regarding a murder, it is something that the world shouldn't see, just like the world should not see pictures and//or videos of a sexual assault crime.
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