This is what I wrote about those videos: “Though I’m not suggesting that those images should be published in news reports (nor should anyone have a say in how they are viewed but Ms. Pelicot), I have been curious why so few details about those videos and photographs have been revealed to the public.” I never argued that they should be made public, nor do I believe they should, nor do I believe I have the right to argue anything about who sees them. My point is that saying these crimes are documented on videotape has little to no impact to a culture that normalizes violence against women.

I initially thought this might be an American media problem, as well — though I’d hardly use the word “prudish” as an explanation. I don’t think that word applies when it comes to rape, especially on this scale. “Sinister evasion” comes to mind. Anyways, after all the news-combing I did, I came to find the same issues in UK media. The only place I found an abundance of facts was in Le Monde. And I wouldn’t be surprised if other European papers had more facts. But it’s definitely not just the US that is being purposefully vague.