Presidential election affecting sexual harassment victims

It’s no secret that sexual harassment has been a topic brought up by both parties in the race for the white house this year. Trump bringing up allegations of how former President Bill Clinton treated women. Clinton taking shots at Trump for locker room talk among other things. 

However what may be going unnoticed in all of this, is the effect all of this is having on victims of sexual abuse.

“The way it’s connected is that some of our clients, it triggers the feeling of someone using their status or using their power and control to engage in behaviors that they’re saying it’s ok,” said Dee Copeland, sexual trauma therapist at Life Crisis Center works with these victims face-to-face.

Copeland said since both candidates have started campaigning media coverage and the rhetoric by some in the national spotlight have downplayed sexual harassment  and chalked it up to a boys being boys culture. A culture that makes victims feel they won’t be protected or that they won’t be believed if they come forward.

“They trivialize it and minimize it and its not that bad, which sends a message that oh this victim or survivors overreacting because you know after all, boys will be boys this is what boys or men do,” said Copeland.

Copeland said prior to the election close to 70 percent of victims of sexual abuse were not reporting their crimes she believes since coverage has started that number has grown even higher.