I am writing regarding the Herald story (May 29) covering the appeal/retrial hearing for Harold Nakai.
The Herald has since changed the wording on the website, which is appreciated, yet I want to address the larger impact of the Herald initially presenting a sexual assault using references such as “carousing” regarding the group alcohol intake that incapacitated Nicole Redhorse and “orgy” defining the group sexual assault. These terms diminish the act of violence that took place and perpetuate years of disregard for sexual violence against women and men in our society. I have seen the Herald move forward on how sexual assault is reported over the past few years, but this clearly reverts back to the victim-blaming that our society continues to portray, minimizing and normalizing sexual violence and assault. We want to see our community reporting remain factual and not judgmental with wording like that which was used.
In addition, it is important to recognize that Native American women experience a much higher rate of sexual and domestic violence (34 percent or more will experience sexual assault in their lifetime, as compared to 14 percent of Caucasian women and 18 percent of African-American Women) due to the marginalization and internalized oppression they experience daily. The writing in this article again suggests that Redhorse somehow participated in the assault that caused her death. I can only imagine the effect this portrayal of such a violent crime has on Redhorse’s family, those who have worked with this case and our community at large.
We at the Sexual Assault Services Organization work daily with women and men who carry the trauma of sexual violence and see firsthand the pain and suffering it causes, not only in the moment but for a lifetime. In addition, we provide ongoing education to stop sexual violence from occurring. I request that the Herald not trivialize these experiences in its coverage. Sexual violence is a community issue, and as an advocate for victims, I expect our local news to represent more professionally in their lead articles.
Maura Doherty Demko, executive director, Sexual Assault Services Organization
Durango
