The Durango Herald used extremely poor judgment – if any judgment at all – when publishing the story about a recent sexual assault allegedly committed by three local men.
With no consideration whatsoever to the impact on the survivor of this crime, the Herald included very specific details of her experience. While she was not named, she is not nameless. While many readers will not know her identity, others will.
This woman had no control over what happened to her, and now she has no control over how many people know very intimate details of a horrific crime committed against her. The Herald should not be in the business of revictimizing survivors of sexual assault.
This community has strong resources, including SASO and Alternative Horizons, which could provide some valuable sensitivity training to the Herald staff. The Herald, and whichever editor was responsible for allowing these graphic details to be shared with the public, needs to be put on notice – there are many people in this community who will stand up against systemic violence against women.
Publishing these details was just that – an act of violence against a person who survived a severe trauma. I will be among the first in a picket line if the Herald continues this appalling and disgusting form of assault.
Lisa Marie Jacobs
Bayfield
