Justice Denied and Justice Delayed

The insidious topic of rape has been brought to my attention again. There have been several examples recently on television and in real life. The issues of power and helplessness again ask to be examined.

The first occurred on an episode of The Sopranos when Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Tony's psychiatrist, is leaving her office at night and is accosted by a young man on the stairwell. She is hit several times in the face and brutally assaulted. Afterward, as she recovers at home, she begins to realize the possible power she has through her association with a mob boss. This thought recurs, especially when she hears from the police that the rapist has been freed due to a legal technicality. On the one hand, she is struggling mightily to come to terms with this horrific event, but on the other hand, she longs for justice. She instinctively believes, however, that humans do not need to resort to violence (as Tony does in all situations); otherwise, they are hardly more than animals. She knows Tony will have the rapist "wacked" if she simply gives the word. In other words, the power would then be transferred into her hands. After much reflection, she chooses silence. We have justice denied.

Another example is that of real life Donna Palumbo who was raped with her children in the next room and while her husband was away. In this instance, because there was a rumor of an alleged affair she was having, the police do not believe her story. They even threaten evidently to have her arrested. It was only after ten years, and several rapes later, that DNA evidence reveals the serial rapist and Donna's rapist were the same man. It was justice delayed.

Yes, we do have occasionally a woman like the Duke alleged victim who lied to police about the three lacrosse players. I wonder though how many women still are not choosing to come forward after a rape because they believe justice will be denied or delayed.
Labels: rape