Rape Myths on Trial

Synopsis

In this provocative presentation, Anne Munch, a career prosecutor and advocate for victims of gender violence, examines how cultural attitudes shape the outcomes of rape and sexual assault cases. Drawing on years of experience prosecuting sex crimes, Munch shows how rape cases often turn on the involvement of an "unnamed conspirator" -- the complex of myths and stories we tell ourselves as a culture about sex, gender, power, and responsibility. Using examples from real cases, and harrowing evidence from actual 911 calls, Munch reveals how the assumptions that juries bring into the courtroom often stack the odds against victims, and at the same time challenges us to think critically about how our own assumptions might unintentionally reinforce victim-blaming. The result is a stunning look inside our criminal justice system and an incisive analysis of American culture's warped views of women's sexuality.

Release Date:2012

Duration:57 min

ISBN:1-932869-63-8

Subtitles:English

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Filmmaker Credits

Produced and Directed by

Sut Jhally

Editor

Jason Young

Filmmaker Biographies

Anne Munch

Attorney

Anne Munch is an attorney with more than 30 years of experience as a career prosecutor and advocate for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. As a subject matter expert for the United States Air Force, the United States Army and the United States Navy, Anne has worked extensively on the development of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs in the military.

Ms. Munch attended the University of Denver for her undergraduate and graduate studies and received a BA in psychology and sociology, and then her law degree.

Following law school Ms. Munch spent seven years as a prosecutor for the Denver District Attorney’s office including a rotation in the felony domestic violence and sexual assault unit. She also spent two years as the Chief Deputy District Attorney for the 7th Judicial District in Telluride, Colorado, and two years as the supervisor of the fast track domestic violence unit in the Jefferson County DA’s office in Golden, Colorado.

In addition to her work as a prosecutor, Ms. Munch was the director of the San Miguel Resource Center, a domestic violence and sexual assault program in Telluride, Colorado. She also directed the Ending Violence Against Women Project, a statewide multi-disciplinary training and technical assistance project in Colorado for nine years.

Currently, Ms. Munch is the owner of Anne Munch Consulting, Inc. and works full time providing speaking, training and consulting in the area of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking. She provides her services to local, national and military organizations all across the United States, Europe, and Asia. She previously served on the teaching faculty for the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

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Praise

"Anne Munch has an astonishing ability to educate her listeners about the realities of sexual assault in a respectful, skillful, and effective way. She uses analogies and real world examples to challenge her audience's beliefs in myths and stereotypes and to demonstrate why sexual assault is 'a crime like no other.'"

Claudia J. Bayliff
Project Attorney, National Judicial Education Program - Legal Momentum

"The powerful message Anne Munch delivers is unequaled in terms of education and awareness. She has the ability to connect with her audience and challenge basic social norms, as well as the audience members' own belief systems, about sexual assault."

Drs. Curt & Christie Brungardt
Fort Hays State University

"In compelling fashion, Munch is able to communicate these complex issues involving sexual assault in an accessible manner that is personal, eye-opening, and timely."

Jeff O'Brien
Director, Mentors in Violence Prevention National