A recent episode of the crime drama “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” featured a white rape victim who resisted testifying against her attacker because she feared she wouldn’t get a fair trial because of her race. It became a hot topic.
In the January 25th episode, “True Embargo,” Natalie, played by actress Romina Dugo, is raped in her dressing room during a clothing store robbery. At the hospital, Natalie denied seeing her rapist’s face, even though there was video camera footage of the man removing his mask before entering the changing room.
Eventually, she “reluctantly” identifies her attacker, a black man named Jay Watson, played by actor Mikey Cooper. According to her blog post, Natalie’s lesbian partner Brooke, played by actress Keely Miller, told detectives that Natalie was angry at the criminal justice system. Media watchdog News Busters.
“She’s inconsolable,” Brooke tells Captain Olivia Benson, played by actress Mariska Hargitay. “We are keenly aware of the systemic inequalities that exist within our criminal justice system.”
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During an episode of “Law & Order: SVU,” a woman lied to a detective about seeing her assailant. (NBC/Getty Images)
She explained that she was concerned that Watson would “not get a fair trial.”
Captain Benson tells Brooke, “There is no denying that there is a history of racism. It is certainly not a perfect system.”
Natalie continues to fight her frustrations with the system during her trial. While on her stand, she refused to identify Watson as her attacker.
Outside court, she told prosecutors and detectives that when she was young, her adopted brother from Cameroon stole gum and was held overnight in a juvenile detention center, but she only received a warning.
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The Law & Order: SVU episode “Truth Embargo” features characters conflicted about testifying against their attackers due to concerns about the justice system. (NBC/Getty Images)
She emotionally tells them that she has the “luxury” of undergoing therapy to recover from her trauma, but believes her young attacker’s condition will only get worse.
“I can afford treatment. I can afford it. And maybe someday I’ll be okay. But what if that teenager goes to prison? He never will be. “Maybe. I don’t want that,” she cried.
Benson convinces Natalie to identify Watson as the attacker from the stands. Watson later explained his remorse to prosecutors, saying he had “learned.” [his] The district attorney agreed to the plea deal and praised the boy for taking “responsibility” for his actions.
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This episode went viral after being shared on Over 3 million views within 24 hours.
