hopkinton-independent-logo2x
Hopkinton, MA
loader-image
Hopkinton, US
7:27 am, Tuesday, November 5, 2024
temperature icon 53°F
Humidity 91 %
Wind Gust: 7 mph

SIGN UP TODAY!
BREAKING NEWS & DAILY NEWSLETTER





Letter to the Editor: The exceptional crime of sexual violence

by | Feb 7, 2024 | Letter to Editor

I live here in town and am the executive director of a Massachusetts nonprofit (RIA, Inc.) that serves hundreds of women who have experienced sexual violence, including rape, exploitation and sex trafficking.

What appears to be a Hopkinton Police Department policy violation on the part of Officer Tim Brennan, was, in fact, best practice in the area of victim rights related to the crime of sexual violence.

It bears repeating that when an adult first communicates past sexual violence of any kind, it is CRUCIAL that the individual is supported in making sense of what has happened to her, and on her own terms. When you walk alongside adult survivors like I do, helping someone heal means helping them rebuild trust in their human relationships. That is what Officer Brennan did, and expertly — even though it stood in the way of process.

Let’s talk for a moment about police misconduct. Do you know that sexual assault is the second most reported form of police misconduct in the U.S., after excessive force? In fact, the rate of sexual assault perpetrated by police is more than double that of the general population (CATO Institute).

Two-thirds of all sexual assaults are never reported to police. Only 1% of actual reports ever reach a court. Why? Number 1, police are notorious for discouraging victims from filing.

A 2020 study found that most all cases of sexual misconduct by police were reported not by the victims themselves but by concerned citizens, and even when a police officer was arrested for such crime, fewer than half were terminated from their jobs.

I am not god-fearing and have few heroes in my life, yet I see that Officer Brennan is more hero than hurtful. And the person he has protected is fiercely resilient, brave and wise to have trusted again.

— Heather Wightman, Hopkinton

Editor’s note: The opinions and comments expressed in letters to the editor are those of the writers and not necessarily those of the Independent. Submissions should be no more than 400 words and must include the writer’s name and contact information for verification. Letters should be relevant and not primarily for the purpose of promoting an organization or event or thanking sponsors or volunteers. Letters may be edited by the Independent staff for space, errors or clarification, and the Independent offers no guarantee that every letter will be published. For a schedule of deadlines for letters and other submissions for the print edition, click here.

0 Comments

Related Articles

Letter to the Editor: Civil for Governor’s Council

I am writing to ask for your support for Tamisha Civil for Governor’s Council in this year’s election. As many of you know, Tamisha and I were competitors in the primary, and it was my privilege to get to know Tamisha in that process. She is smart, dedicated and...

Letter to the Editor: Bring back old Main Street

OK, guys, let’s end this engineering and construction practice downtown and give us our old Main Street back! Also, are the light structures going to need repainting every two years? (Lowest bid, I guess.) — Bill and Alice Hamilton, Hopkinton Editor’s note: The...

Letter to the Editor: Town must balance character, finances

Every time a potential zoning change comes before the town, I see a letter or two accusing town officials of “catering to developers” and “destroying the character of our town.” Our town does have an idyllic rural character that we would like to preserve. Our...

Letter to the Editor: No gas station in area zoned agricultural

We are writing in opposition to the 290 West Main Street project, which proposes a gas station at the intersection of West Main Street and School Street. The character of our neighborhood is at stake as well as the character of the town! Consistent with the...

Letter to the Editor: Town committees shouldn’t cater to developers

Since 1965, the zoning at Main Street and School Street as well as Hayward and South Street has remained unchanged, preserving the character of these areas. Yet, recent actions by the Board of Appeals and the Zoning Advisory Committee suggest that they cater to...

Key Storage 4.14.22