Introduction
The Book Know My Name: A Memoir is an inspirational source of information regarding the challenges and pains victims of sexual violence go through. In this riveting piece of work, the reader gets a chance to learn more about the American justice systems and how it victimizes the affected individuals. This essay gives a detailed analysis of the justice system’s response to the author’s ordeal.
Miller’s Expression of the Justice System
In the selected book, the reader realizes that Chanel Miller tries to be a good person despite the fact that she is a victim of rape. Throughout the period, it becomes clear that Miller is encouraged to trust the system and follow the precedent or normalcy that is already in place. However, it eventually becomes quite clear that the laws put in place and the procedures only demean her (Miller 84). The facts of the case only appear to bring her to something that could be compared with justice. However, the reports from the case describe a totally different person. Miller decides to use the book as the best tool to give a detailed picture of her situation and anguish. She does so with the aim of guiding other people to learn more about sexual violence and how the system treats casually.
In the work, the author writes: “my pain was never more valuable than his potential” (Feller). In such a quote, Miller is trying to describe how the legal process ignores the pain and anguish she had to endure during the ordeal. Instead, the new focus is on the trial process and how the offender, Brock Turner, is able to defend himself. The kind of portrayal diverts the attention from the reality, thereby making it impossible for justice to be served. This work, therefore, tries to expose the inefficiencies and inappropriateness of the country’s justice system when dealing with rape cases.
The process of seeking justice becomes another stumbling block for victims of rape. For instance, the book tries to explain how Miller is required by the investigators to repeat the exact details of the assault. Such a process makes it impossible for the victim to deal with depression and trauma. Instead, she is forced to develop mental pressure and become depressed (Miller 109). The problem worsens when the courts take longer to convict the offender or provide justice. From the work, the reader learns that it took several months for Brock Turner to be sentenced. Additionally, the attorney could be accused of introducing Miller as a stereotype seeking the attention of the media. The judgment for Brock Turner also leaves the reader questioning the validity and the desire to provide the much needed justice.
From this analysis, it becomes clear that the process of seeking justice remains more complicated and incapable of supporting the healing of victims of rape. Miller’s case reveals that the established criminal justice is inadequate since it fails to inform the victims about the details of the specific attack (Miller 289). Proper mechanisms are missing that could help more people like Miller to heal. Finally, the system fails to provide justice despite the fact that the affected person was raped.
Conclusion
The above discussion has identified Know My Name: A Memoir as a worth reading book that indicts the country’s justice system. The established model fails to focus on the needs of victims of sexual violence. It exposes them as stereotypes and eventually fails to provide the much needed justice. These issues explain why a paradigm shift is necessary to transform the lives of more victims of sexual abuse.
Works Cited
Feller, Madison. “We Knew Everything About The Worst Night Of Her Life. Now, Chanel Miller Wants Us To Know Her Name.” Elle, 2019, Web.
Miller, Chanel. Know My Name: A Memoir. Viking Press, 2019.