In ‘Credible,’ Professor Deborah Tuerkheimer dismantles the credibility complex

by Shuyler Clark

In the sixteen years since activist Tarana Burke introduced the phrase “Me Too” in the context of sexual assault, countless people have come forward with their own allegations of misconduct. Whether they are accusing family members, or moguls like Harvey Weinstein, these survivors have given rise to an international movement with widespread ramifications. 

However, despite the volume of allegations, many of these survivors face backlash in the form of disbelief, verbal abuse, and ostracism. Meanwhile, the accused benefit from perceived innocence, often avoiding accountability. Professor Deborah Tuerkheimer labels this dichotomy “the credibility complex,” the nature of which she discusses in her latest book, Credible.

In her treatise, Tuerkheimer breaks an allegation into three components: the assault happened, it was wrong, it matters. For an accusation to be deemed credible, listeners must agree with all three claims. As is often the case, bystanders will choose to discount one or more of the claims, thus discounting the accuser’s credibility.

Bystanders often employ sexual assault myths, such as the stranger rape paradigm, as tools to label an accusation unbelievable. Others may agree that sexual activity occurred, but that it was consensual or the accuser is exaggerating the claim. If listeners concur that the event was abuse, they may still deem the accuser’s suffering less important than that of the accused. All of these outcomes enforce the idea that survivors are less valuable than those who harm them.

Credibility discounting is not limited to common bystanders. The complex plagues legal and academic settings as well, dooming survivors to unsafe environments in which they are belittled and further traumatized. As Tuerkheimer details, the majority of police reports are never pursued as officers choose to nitpick the accuser based on her attire, alcohol consumption, potential drug use, and other irrelevant factors. The few cases that do reach a jury are often dismissed or let the accuser off with a lenient sentence.

Tuerkheimer provides many accounts from sexual assault survivors describing how these different methods of credibility discounting impact their healing processes. Her deft use of language conveys the powerful emotions behind each survivor’s words, compelling the reader to feel the injustice in their suffering. The detailed narratives also press readers to reflect on their own reactions to past allegations and determine if they are also guilty of credibility discounting.

In addition to laying out the three components of allegations, Tuerkheimer also contributes potential solutions in the form of restorative justice, reforms to the criminal justice system, and advice for friends and family members of survivors. Although accusers each have their own ideas of justice, each of the suggested methods are worth researching and developing in order to attain balance and hold perpetrators accountable. Ultimately, as Tuerkheimer shows, the critical factor is supporting survivors in their initial vulnerability, which can determine what route to healing the accuser takes.

Tuerkheimer’s study is critical reading, both for those aiming to understand the challenges survivors face and those who do not understand the impact of their actions. Readers will feel compelled to take action and be more aware of the flaws in our justice system.

Shuyler Clark