#Me Too and Police Violence

Monday’s post briefly referenced police violence toward sex workers.  But police violence toward women is a chronic and significant problem, particularly toward women of color.   Navigating Force and Choice documented police violence toward sex workers, especially toward transgender women.  But police sexual violence occurs across a wide spectrum.  Andrea Ritchie has documented police sexual violence toward women of color in Invisible No More.

Ms. Ritchie argues that the problem is systemic, but prosecutor and others address only incident based allegations of police sexual violence.  A Buffalo study found that a report of police sexual violence happens every five days.  That report noted the range of victims to cover adolescents, those participating in ride-alongs, as well as those forced to engage in sexual behavior to avoid arrest.  Nearly all victims were women and nearly all perpetrators were men. 

Police sexual violence was documented by former police chief Norm Stamper, as well.  One chapter in his book details police sexual violence which the author states is present in all police departments.  He refers to these officers as rapists in uniform.  As with all manner of police violence, and in particular violence against women, local command leadership can create an atmosphere of tolerance.  Ms. Ritchie, Mr. Stamper and the Buffalo report all agree that the problem rests in police culture and is systemic, not isolated.  In the days of #Me Too, this particularly hideous form of misogyny needs airing.