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Muhammad Dawood Hameed Ansari

22020158

Farhana Shahzad

Writing and Communications SS100

25 October 2018

It’s time to speak about the economic cost of sexual assault

“It's time to speak about the economic cost of sexual assault,” published in Al Jazeera

English by Sheetal Dhir talks about how sexual abuse economically affects the victim and results

in “lost human capital.”(4) The impact of sexual assault beyond its psychological and social

ramifications is a highly debated topic with no clear consensus. Dhir holds a bachelor’s degree in

public policy and government, a master’s degree in public policy and is a producer, strategist,

and fixer who is currently working in the social justice field which is why she has the authority

to write on this issue. (Al Jazeera “Sheetal Dhir”)

Dhir‘s “It's time to speak about the economic cost of sexual assault” lacks proper

attention to the effects on the macro-economy; however, the author persuasively uses statistical

evidence, personal anecdotes, and rhetorical questions to deliver a compelling argument.

Dhir describes how sexual abuse leads to a series of problems for the victim. The victim

often undergoes psychological disorders, in some cases, the victim drops out of high

school/college or is unwilling to go back to work. Thus, there are “costs for therapy,” “costs for

medicine” and “reduced education” often results in “reduced lifetime income.” (6; 4) Dhir then

also includes her life story – her experiences as a survivor. She exclaims that on top of therapy

and medicine expenses, course of her life was altered because of the events; she shifted from

finance or consulting to non-profit work. (5) Dhir’s thesis is that sexual assault results in many
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economic disadvantages for the survivor which in the long term affects their success and

financial standing. On this account, she wants to start a “national conversation” about these

economic consequences as she believes this issue not just involves the affected person but the

“society as a whole.” (7) Dhir’s primary target audience is the survivors, human, and women

rights activists amongst the general American public.

Although Dhir makes a convincing case for the economic impact of assault on the

individual, she fails to explore its effect on the macro-economy. Sexual assault, as she highlights,

is a social issue that touches the lives of every one in three women as such government

programmes aimed at aiding recovery end up drawing a considerable amount. (3) The crime

victim compensation is a government scheme which usually pays for the medical and dental fees,

counseling costs, funeral or burial expenses, and lost wages or support. (The National Centre for

Victims of Crime “Crime Victim Compensation”). This alone costs “$500 million

annually.”(National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards “CRIME VICTIM

COMPENSATION: An Overview”) There are also other social welfare policies which

economically assist the victims, such as The Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC),

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI),

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and subsidized housing policies.

(Economic Consequences of Sexual Violence for Survivors: Implications for Social Policy and

Social Change 184) Consequently, a large portion of the government spending that could have

gone to other social welfare programs or to bolster failing sectors of the economy. Dhir, by

neglecting this facet of the economic fallout handicaps her argument which could have otherwise

taken on a more holistic and comprehensive approach.

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Dhir throughout the article uses several statistics to successfully grab the interest of the

readers and hence convince them to accept her statement. She employs statistical evidence to

implore the legitimacy of her points. She starts off the article by quoting "one in three women …

in the US have experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime.” (5) This

statistic establishes that one third of the female population in the United States has experienced

this plight – which is a large number. The fact that such a massive portion of the population is

affected, emphasizes its importance to the audience. Dhir then gives a link to research conducted

by the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), this contains some general facts

and some long-term costs. MCASA estimates that total cost to the survivors in 2002 was $18

million and rape costs the victim around $127 billion per year. (Maryland Coalition Against

Sexual Assault “Economic Costs of Sexual Violence”) Dhir further adds that a victim loses about

“$241,600” in a lifetime due to the assault. (4) A total of 18 million spent in expenses and

$241,600 never earned; these statistics make the audience imagine how one’s standard of living

could improve with this amount of money. By presenting statistical evidence to the enormity of

the issue, she proves its relevance to her audience and the size of its impact. Effectively, creating

a rational reason for her readers to be invested in and think about the economic impact of sexual

assault.

Dhir describes her personal experiences and makes it evident that she too is a woman

who has been subject to abuse. She explains how when she came forward with the first assault

she was told to either “sweep it under the rug,” “come forth and shame my family” or “try

therapy.”(4) She then reinforces the research conclusions she mentioned earlier in the form of

her own experience – “I paid in the form of PTSD, anxiety and serious panic attacks.” (5) The

readers start making a connection with Dhir and further understand that she writes about both a
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personal and social issue. The inclusion of anecdotes further implores the gravity of the

consequences beyond their social impact. Dhir then talks on about the second assault where a

“romantic entanglement” made it harder for people to label it as rape. (5) She elaborates that due

to the second incident she “upped her therapy,” felt “vulnerable” and “less emboldened” to go

after her dreams. (5) Dhir unveiled to the readers that these incidents are the reason that she now

works for social justice, and though other sectors such as finance may have been far more

profitable, she still chose to work in the non-profit industry. (5) The anecdotes support her main

argument as she has not lived up to her economic potential due to how the abuse has shaped her

life. By sharing the most sensitive parts of her life, Dhir forms an intimate bond with the reader

even though they have never met. This allows the readers to put themselves in the victim's shoes

and imagine the effect it would have on them on top of the emotional pain that they would suffer

—inciting sympathy, relate to her experiences and consequently be persuaded by her argument.

Dhir utilizes rhetorical questions with the readers in the article to have them contemplate

the issue at hand. Initially, she mentions the questions she asked herself when she first thought

about the problem: Whether assaults are the reason economic disparity exists between the

genders in the US or abroad, has the burden of sexual assault held women back professionally

and financially and how does sexual assault impact survivors’ “achievement.” (6; 3) The

audience will be compelled to ask themselves these questions and find themselves deliberating

just as Dhir had been. After reflecting on the questions, the readers find themselves hooked to the

article in a desperate search for the answers. Subsequently, Dhir addresses the audience once

again in the form of rhetorical questions. Dhir asks if it would have been “better” for her if she

worked in a more profitable field and didn’t have to take the cost of being a survivor into

account. (6) This question leaves the audience in deep thought, guiding them to her conclusion as
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Dhir has successfully had them sympathize and relate with her through her anecdote. And then

she asks the final question: “Why are women not ruling the world?” (6) Readers think of the

powerful positions in the world and realize how barely ever any woman occupies that seat. She

hence effectively links the consequences of sexual assault to a major power imbalance between

the two genders. Therefore, by a series of questions, Dhir brings the readers to her thesis that

“prevalence of sexual assault” could be a significant factor in the economic difference between

men and women. (6)

Dhir has eloquently presented her central claims, and by using various rhetorical devices

correctly, she has persuaded the readers. Overall her reasoning is valid. She has not just provided

the readers with adequate corroborating statistics and testimonies but has included her own

experience which adds credibility to her argument. Dhir has explained all her points in detail,

coherently and methodically which has conveyed her message successfully. Although the article

disregards the effects of sexual assault on the macro-economy, her logic is sound and developed.

In conclusion, she comprehensively proves her thesis using statistical data, personal encounters,

and right use of rhetorical questions.

Word Limit: 1500 words

Works Cited
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"Crime Victim Compensation." National Center for Victims of Crime. National Center for

Victims of Crime, n.d. Web. <http://victimsofcrime.org/help-for-crime-victims/get-help-

bulletins-for-crime-victims/crime-victim-compensation>.

"CRIME VICTIM COMPENSATION: An Overview." National Association of Crime Victim

Compensation Boards. National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards, n.d.

Web. <http://www.nacvcb.org/index.asp?bid=14>.

"Economic Costs of Sexual Violence." Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault. Maryland

Coalition Against Sexual Assault, n.d. Web. <https://mcasa.org/assets/files/Economic-

Costs-of-Sexual-Violence-with-Long-Term-Costs-Updated.pdf>.

Loya, Rebecca Marie. Economic Consequences of Sexual Violence for Survivors: Implications

for Social Policy and Social Change. Diss. Brandeis U, 2012. Ann Arbor: ProQuest LLC,

2012. Web. <https://https://www.pqdtopen.proquest.com/pubnum/3540084.html?

FMT=AI>.