I May Destroy You- Line Spectrum Disorder
The plot for this episode mirrors that of far too numerous of us that have encountered sexual violence in real life- it is the plague of lack of justice due to often times developments in the investigations that come to nothing. In fact the latest statistics show in actuality only 6% of rapists ever receive any prison time and that’s with ample evidence — and those that do will typically be out on parole in less than 5 years. It is injustices of a justice system that is supposed to protect and serve those of us who have been victimized fail to — it is lack of that fundamental protection like this that often leads to survivors running right into the arms of poor circumstances and unhealthy people as with in the case of the protagonist ,Arabella, who finds herself going back to an unhealthy individual from before probably based on the familiar. What was there before trauma particularly right before it occurred? That’s often a go to for survivors no matter how unhealthy it is. When especially a newer survivor has been traumatized in such a interpersonal dehumanizing way that comes with any form of sexual violence you will find yourself pretty much running to anything including that which isn’t safe nor healthy for the survivor. It’s survival mode kicking in. You’ll do whatever you have to do to get away from that torment and trauma. As with Arabella’s case in, I May Destroy You, in real life sexual trauma causes many harmful affects both short and long term in some form. Sexual predators do serious damage to those they prey on which is what they seek to do because that’s the only way they gain a feeling of power and control by dehumanizing someone else they see as vulnerable or conquerable especially. It’s like a badge of honor to a predator to inflict that kind of agony and trauma onto someone. It makes them feel really important, special, and untouchable.
Another aspect the episode and really the last few episodes have impact-fully made a point to speak on, is the rampant sexual assault against Men and often times young Men of color in the LGTBQ community whom are the most underreported and underserved to this day in 2020 be it by law, society, or just resources in general.
As always a powerful episode.
