By Alex Palumbo

Few disagree that 2017 became a defining “watershed” moment in the national conversation and spurred awareness of the stories and experiences of sexual assault victims. Few industries were left unaffected by this conversation by the year’s end, including the realms of politics, arts, cable news, morning news, and corporate America. Victims came forward in numbers neither seen nor heard before. As with any situation where previously hidden stories come to light, questions arise. How have we never heard these stories before? How long have the victims lived in silence? How were the perpetrators able to keep living their lives and abusing more victims? This article examines that final question specifically. How did these perpetrators continue their patterns of abuse—silencing their victims while continuing to live freely?

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