What Is The Case Of Frances Thompson Terror In The Heart Of Freedom

When I first learned about rape, and sexual violence in general, I assumed that every victim reported their abuse, and every rapist went to jail. Once I learned that the reality was the opposite of my beliefs, I was confused. I did not understand why someone would not go to the police and seek out charges against their assaulters. Yet, the stories of Frances Thompson and the victim of Nate Parker, illustrate the extreme dangers that come along with reporting. Moreover, I am currently worried about the details that have been released in the Derek Rose rape case, and what may happen to the victim in this situation. Once one examines rape cases, and the affects that they have on the victims, it is no longer surprising why people feel safer not

Although I had never heard of this happening before, but the case of Frances Thompson addresses this issue. In Hannah Rosen’s Terror in the Heart of Freedom, she details the unfair arrest of Thompson for cross-dressing, and how she was sentenced to work on a chain gang in men’s clothing. Many people believe that by turning in their rapist, they would be protecting themselves and preventing their attacker from harming other, just as Frances Thompson did. Instead, they unknowingly put themselves in a position to be criminalized. Records from the testimonies from Thompson and other women raped during the Memphis Massacre reveal how every minute detail of their life came into question during the hearings. Although the victims might believe that they are helping to convict their rapist by offering up personal information, they are unknowingly aiding in building a case against themselves. As a result, once their trial is over, they are penalized for the smallest infraction. Frances Thompson was arrested for a crime that was minor; one can only imagine what would happen to people who may have had a history of petty crimes or drug use. These people would be risking what little freedom they have if they were to go through with reporting their abuse. Yet, criminalization is not the only thing that rape victims worry about when it comes to going to the

To prevent herself from ending up in a situation like Frances Thompson, or the victim of Nate Parker, she filed her lawsuit under the name Jane Doe. However, Rose’s legal team is running a smear campaign against the woman, and is fighting to have her name released to the public. Seeing what has happened to Nate Parker’s victim before and after her death, causes me to worry about the future for this woman. All she wants is for Derrick Rose to serve the time that he should, and I hope that this happens. However, this woman is being attacked by thousands of people who seek to discredit her. Moreover, there is currently a team a lawyers searching for ways in which they can incriminate her as well. Rape victims, especially victims of high profiled entertainers and athletes, are tortured for reporting their attacks. This causes me to worry about what else might happen to this woman. I am also concerned about the affect it will have on other victims of rape who are afraid to speak out against their abusers. If the identity of this woman is not protected, this will tell other victims that they will not be protected