(TW: Sexual assault)
If you don't know that the Blackhawks are who they have always been, I have swampland for you in Florida.
Advertisement
Let's get back up.
2015 was a busy year for me as a radio station's update desk operator. Two sources close to the investigation into the allegations of sexual assault against Patrick Kane reached out to me. After a thorough screening and discussion with my boss, I started reporting on some of the information I had about Buffalo and the investigation. Even though the case never went to trial, I stand behind every piece of reporting that I made during that period. It resulted was years of torture from Blackhawks fans who continue to harass me to this day. After a specific threat against my workplace, I received death threats and rape threats. This made me national news.
The Hawks stopped giving me gifts at the station after they sent them to everyone else. But I had stopped buying their shitty merchandise long before that. The Blackhawks were my first attempt to find a team that didn't let me down, long before the Cubs reacted to the abuse allegations against Addison Russell and Aroldis Chapman. The Hawks did everything they could to encourage Kane forward in the media. They sent him out in front fans at all times, even though he was still being investigated.
Looking back, I am struck by how many people said to my, "If there was truly something to this, don't you think the Blackhawks might do something about it?" Then again, they are standing behind him and they surely know something that we don't.
G/O Media could get a 30% commission on HempFusion CBD Chill Out
You can get capsules, topicals and tinctures in a wide range of strengths for a steep discount. Promo code: SPOOKY
It turns out that this was not the case.
As the years passed, Kane's allegations were forgotten. He was made the face of the Hawks franchise by his team. I saw little girls wearing Kane jerseys, and the sanitization. Someone thought it was a smart idea to ask him about the sexual assault allegations against Brad Aldrich, a former video coach.
Advertisement
I can hear my critics now. She makes it all about herself, and that is the whole point. It affects everyone when teams cover up sexual assault and abuse allegations. All of us, from those on the team, to those who work for the team, to those covering the team and to the fans at home, are affected. It has a profound effect on how we view the world because people trust the organization to do the right things. That trust can have a negative impact on the lives of those around them, in and outside of sports.
Advertisement
As I have written, I can see a direct link between Anita Hill's treatment by Congress during the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings and my own failure to report my rape a few years later. I wonder how many victims were similarly affected by Patrick Kane's treatment of Anita Hill, who was threatened and doxxed before being driven out of her home by police. Or how media personnel who refused to declare Kane innocent were threatened and harassed. These were threats that, by the way the Blackhawks could easily have ended with a simple statement but chose to not.
How many young victims are aware that Deshaun Watson, a man accused of 22 sexual misconduct allegations against him, is still being sought after by NFL teams? Or that multiple sexual assault allegations against Ben Roethlisberger are effectively forgotten. After settling a sexual assault case last spring, Antonio Brown was praised by Tom Brady and the media. How many victims have witnessed the vicious online attacks on those who doubt the innocence and worthiness of Dodgers Trevor Bauer? Let's not forget about the false narrative about how the rape accusations against Kobe Bryant were resolved. The NFL should be ashamed to do anything about Giants kicker Josh Brown. Andy Reid keeps getting a pass when it comes to acquiring men with domestic violence allegations against their names.
Advertisement
You can shout, "Stick to Sports!" all you want, but it is important that young people learn how to view violence against other people and against those less powerful. We have outsourced sexual assault consequences to professional sports leagues because there is no criminal justice system that works in the interests of victims. This is a problem. We know from numerous incidents that sports teams are not equipped to deal with serious matters such as rape. This is especially true when the Stanley Cup or Super Bowl are at stake.
Kyle Beach deserves my admiration for his courage. I am glad someone was able to defeat a juggernaut such as the Blackhawks, and win. Others have failed. Their pain must have been so overwhelming. People loved watching that team win three Stanley Cups. It will be easier for everyone. Let's be honest. Some of the Hawks GM support has more to do the bad play on the ice than any other thing that happened there. You will see a different reaction to the Beach story if the Hawks are ready for another Cup run.
Advertisement
This is where I will give you my opinion on the solution to the dilemma. I believe that more prosecutors care about justice, and fewer care about the trial record. Increased resources for victims and perpetrators of violent crimes. A world that cares about sexual assault against wealthy and famous men. My request is much simpler: Stop giving your favorite teams the benefit of doubt because they look good on TV. Let's assume that the victim is lying if the team makes an allegation next time they come forward.
This would be at most a good starting point.
