Imposed dual sanctions or increased penalties
In a society that favors flawless mothers and wives, the perpetuation of a traumatic crime is the failure to believe victims and the pressure to remain silent. Lucile de Peslouan eloquently expresses this in her poignant book Tout brûler, concerning her experience of incest with her father.
While discussing her decision to file a complaint decades afterward, de Peslouan's account resonates with many who have experienced abuse as children, offering a sense of liberation. Another victim of childhood abuse found the book empowering, just as Caroline Darian, daughter of Gisele Pelicot, does in her bold denunciation of her father in the book Pour que l'on se souvienne.
Darian's candid account includes the revelation of compromising photographs found on Pelicot's computer, hinting at the darker undercurrents of the Mazan trial. The saga uncovers troubling implications of incestuous relationships, both among victims and the accused, as examined by philosopher Manon Garcia in her book Vivre avec les hommes. Réflexions sur le procès Pelicot.
The justice system's limitations in dealing with such complaints and the persistent issue of secondary victimization are highlighted throughout Garcia's work. The author, best known for On ne naît pas soumise, on le devient, also condemns the system's failure to address these issues effectively.
While Ontario universities have started implementing mandatory awareness and prevention programs addressing sexual violence, the situation in Quebec's higher education system remains under-addressed. Particularly, the lack of educational initiatives concerning grooming behaviors and the consequences of secondary victimization should receive more attention.
Although the current efforts to combat sexual violence in Quebec's universities might not focus explicitly on consent education in the context of grooming and secondary victimization, educators and administrators should actively address these issues to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all students. By fostering a culture of respect and informed consent, Quebec universities can contribute to the prevention of sexual violence and better support its survivors.
It is essential to remember that victims of abuse often face hurdles in being believed and that the pressure to remain silent can further traumatize them. As society continues to address the complexities of consent, sexual violence, and the role of institutions, we must strive to be advocates for those who have been silenced for too long. By believing victims and working together to break the cycle of abuse, we can ultimately create a more equitable, supportive, and safer world for all.
In the ongoing discourse of consent and sexual violence, the education-and-self-development sector plays a crucial role in addressing grooming behaviors and the consequences of secondary victimization within Quebec's higher education system (general-news). By incorporating these topics into mandatory awareness and prevention programs, universities can foster a culture of personal-growth that promotes respect, informed consent, and a safer learning environment (education-and-self-development). Moreover, it is imperative that society, including crime-and-justice systems, recognizes and addresses the lasting impact of secondary victimization on abuse victims, ensuring they are not silenced any longer (crime-and-justice).
