Victim/Suspect

As "Victims/Suspects" (2023 release; 90 min.) opens, we are introduced to Rachel De Leon of the Center for Investigative Reporting out in Oakland, CA. De Leon stumbles on a story out of Tuscaloosa, Alabama where a young girl gets sentenced to jail for false reporting (reporting a rape that police concludes didn't happen). Intrigued, De Elon starts digging deeper, and finds a bunch of such other false reporting cases... At this point we are 10 minutes into the film.

Couple of comments: this is the second feature-length documentary from director Nancy Schwartzman ("Run Red Run"). Here she follows investigative reporter De Leon for several years, as De Leon digs deeper and deeper into these seemingly incomprehensible cases where victims become suspects. Watch cop after cop manipulate and "ruse" (i.e. Outright lie) these young women, to the point of arresting these young women who came forward to seek protection in the first place. It will infuriate you how this social injustice goes on all over the country. Some might say "but why do these women admit to having fabricated these charges", my answer is to WATCH THIS and you will understand why. This is of course not a new trend, and thousands of innocent people confess to something they never did, after lengthy manipulation by cops and prosecutors. Schwartzman lays it out very clearly from start to finish. Last but certainly not least, a big kudos to Rachel De Leon for her important investigative journalism in getting to the bottom of this.

"Victim/Suspect" briefly played in select US theaters, and then started streaming on Netflix, where I caught it this Memorial Day weekend. If you have any interest in social justice issues, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

I have to say the documentary was very well done. It demonstrated true journalistic work, which is of rarity today.

I was not aware how intentional police deception can be when investigating a sexual assault case, especially how the investigation can intentionally turn the victim into a suspect and railroading her into recanting his/her story. That's not investigative work. That is intentional and malicious investigation seeking to ensure the victim's claim is not deemed as the truth. That is wrong.

Very impressed with her journalism and am excited to see what she will tackle next. We need more journalists like her.

As a multiple sexual assault victim, myself.

I'm kind of glad I never came forth to report of my assaults, or even mention them to those I even trust, or should trust.

I have heard too many stories of how victims have been shamed, or have made to feel/think we have deserved it some way (the way we were dressed, acted, mixed signals, etc).

It's truly sad.

More needs to be done.

It's deplorable of what are justice system is. Even more deplorable of our "serve and protect" people are.

My faith in humanity and society is pretty nonexistent, nor will I ever turn to those who I'm expected to trust (LE's) to expect to protect me. I think I will rely on myself to do that from now on.

All this documentary did is reinforce,how broken the system remains.

Have been a victim & worked with victims also men falsely accused therefore went into this,with an open & unbiased mind to see how the series unfolded so here's my take..

Honestly all victims need to bring legal counsel with them,this only proves that immensely.

What is further scary.. Will make attackers feel invincible,because police are so lazy doing a proper investigation.

It begs the question do many get in law enforcement/official capacities for wrong reasons,basically protecting"boys will be boys"club or being able to bully but calling it interrogation & so forth? Not saying females in power positions are any better,some will be just as cruel if not worse.

All that was missing,if you would of dressed different garbage.. Beyond sickening & typical gaslight excuses,done by those in charge of sex crimes.

I feel worried for those who are future victims,that fail to come forward as a result of seeing this.

Hoping law enforcement change their tactics,but feel that will never happen but instead cover things up more.. Tapes that interrogate victims,etc.

Again.. Bring someone with that "you" trust & will advocate on your behalf,not just from a victims group especially if police recommended. -Some are shady & on the wrong side,of actually helping victims.

Hope those in charge or having power,start making their communities safer.

Some may ask.. If someone reports a crime,why eventually falter? Not what many perhaps think,where guilt of lying comes to surface.. Instead it's being worn down by a system,that should be fair & protect.

Most cases the investigation into the victim is greater than a person accused,so any outcome isn't factual but biased & again.. Causes a victim,to be further harmed.

A reviewer mentioned she was upset about not having,stories that included African Americans.. Perhaps it was because nobody of that ethnicity wanted to be documented on camera or was not just about representing sex crime victims,but more specifically certain law enforcement agencies handling of cases.

Still.. Watch this including with your daughters to teach them,how to protect themselves not just from attackers but legally.

Watched this documentary with my wife and it's sad very very sad to think that the "authorities" lack so much compassion. The uniform itself should spell out how can I be of service. Why do they apply and study then get the job to protect and serve only themselves? In today's world all kids have to be so aware as to not tarnish their reputation especially on social media. Unlike when we went to school our reputation was word of mouth. These are little girls with tiny little hearts. Even when a women is all grown up with children of her own she is still herself just a little girl with a tiny little heart and they all bruise easily.