Blasey Ford testimony could affect other sexual assault victims

Sept. 30--Doreen Arcus watched Christine Blasey Ford testify about an alleged sexual assault before members of the Senate Judiciary Committee with a lot of empathy on Thursday.

Blasey Ford talked about being terrified of speaking before the committee, as well as the stress and anxiety of speaking about the incident publicly.

These are all classic signs of sexual assault survivors, according to the UMass Lowell psychology professor and survivor. For Arcus, "It's difficult to talk about, even after decades have gone by."

This type of testimony can also be "triggering" -- causing other survivors of sexual assault to relive their own experiences along with Blasey Ford.

"Christine Blasey Ford's accusations -- and perhaps more importantly, the dismissive and accusatory responses to them some have voiced -- have the potential to evoke memories of similar trauma for the 1 in 5 American women who have experienced rape or attempted rape in their lifetimes, as well as men who have been victimized," Arcus said in a statement.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 in 10 men have experienced rape or attempted rape in their lifetime.

"Sexual violence is an intimate and terrifying violation with potential re-victimizations awaiting those who come forward," Arcus said. "The shame of being treated in such a degrading fashion, the terror of violence and coercion and the misguided but prevalent view that survivors should have been able to prevent the assault, combine to make reporting sexual violence an extremely difficult decision, and one that many forgo, sometimes for years and sometimes for lifetimes."

According to YWCA New Hampshire CEO Jessica Sugrue, this case will have a "ripple effect on those who haven't come out yet."

The YWCA's mission is to empower women, but Blasey Ford's reception from the Senate Judiciary Committee seems anything but empowering.

"People are entitled to their own opinions, (but) the level of insensitivity has astounded me," she said.

Deborah Haynes of Response, a support center for sexual and domestic violence, found the violation of Blasey Ford's confidentiality one of the most egregious aspects of the case.

According to Haynes, confidentiality is a top priority for all advocates who provide support for victims.

Like the other experts, Haynes believes that it may now be harder for victims to disclose their cases of sexual assault because of the victim shaming that is involved, both in person and on social media, similar to the way Ford has been victimized.

"It's difficult for somebody who hasn't experienced (this) to understand the complexities of it," Haynes said.

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