To the editor of the Cape Codder:
In his zeal to denounce “inaccuracies” attributed to advocacy organizations defending the victim of a vicious hate crime in Provincetown, reporter Steve Desrouches presents incomplete and inaccurate information himself. First, the Anti-Violence Project correctly noted that the victim was not transported to the hospital when discovered in a state of distress in the early morning hours of September 10th. The doctors who treated him in New Bedford say that he should have been sent to a hospital immediately. Although the victim has no recollection of refusing hospital transport, I assume members of the Provincetown Rescue Squad are accurately recounting what they heard at the time. Nevertheless, the decision to defer to the wishes of a victim suffering from acute head trauma and delirium was a clear error in judgment. I cannot say negligence was involved, but the victim was not competent to refuse medical treatment, and should have been transported to the hospital.
Second, the victim recollects events immediately prior to the attack and events that have taken place since his return to New Bedford. He does not recall his interactions with police or witnesses when he was discovered in a state of distress. He knows he was on the beach for some portion of the attack because his pockets were full of sand and his face looks like the perpetrators took sandpaper to it. Given this forensic evidence, it is likely he was dragged by his feet along the beach. It may be that the individuals who discovered the victim and called 911 escorted him to a bench, but he cannot recollect that part. What is more troubling is that police have no way of knowing where the victim was left unconscious because they failed to interview the witnesses who found him and take down identifying information.
Third, the victim does not feel “persecuted” by the “people of Provincetown.” But he is adamant that Provincetown Police seem more concerned with covering up their own mistakes than finding the perpetrators. He was very hurt on hearing hearsay reports from reporters suggesting that the police are blaming him for their initial failure to investigate. He wonders what the people of Provincetown are thinking about the attack on him, because he cannot imagine that they would not urge a more vigorous police investigation and search for other potential witnesses. Blaming the victim is a familiar phenomenon in police and media responses to hate crimes and sexual assaults; this posture is evident in the statement in Mr. Desrouches’ article that “it is clear [breathalyzer readings?] the man had been drinking.” In fact, the victim was suffering from delirium caused by his head injuries. It is the role of victim advocates to challenge such insensitivity which adds to the victim’s already heavy burden.
Fourth, I did not say the victim would be “OK.” His face is scarred and abraded, his ear mutilated, and he is seriously traumatized and largely unable to sleep. When he does sleep, he gets nightmares, as recollections of what happened to him during the gaybashing begin to surface. The MRI’s have revealed no physical damage to his brain, but he is not OK. Hate crimes victims suffer in excruciating ways which transcend their physical injuries alone.
Finally, I invite readers to judge for themselves whether the police response to a clear-cut hate crime conformed to Provincetown’s vaunted “Plan for Overcoming Hate Incidents,” available at http://www.provincet… . In particular, readers should examine the protocols at pages 6-11 of the plan governing the response to hate crimes by Provincetown Police department employees: the dispatching/communications officer; the responding officer; the shift supervisor; the investigator; the civil rights officer; and the chief of police. The Director of Public Health and the Town Nurse also have obligations to the victims of hate crimes detailed in the policy. Were these policies followed to the letter?
I am attempting to facilitate cooperation between the police and the victim despite the misunderstandings that Mr. Desrouches perpetuates. The victim feels badly burned by both what happened to him and the response of town employees. Nevertheless, it is in his interest, and that of the GLBT community in Provincetown and beyond, that there be cooperation and the gaybashers be caught and prosecuted for this felony hate crime. Provincetown’s reputation for tolerance is at stake. Suffice it to say, victim advocates are concerned, but only the police and the community can ensure that out-of-town LGBT visitors are safe in Provincetown. We will be monitoring the situation closely in the interest of GLBT people who have a connection to or own property in the town, but lack a say in the political process there.
Sincerely,
Don Gorton
Chairperson
The Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project
