E. Jean Carroll's Defamation Lawsuit: A Chilling Reminder of Retraumatization

E. Jean Carroll's Courtroom Resilience

Watching E. Jean Carroll face down former president Donald Trump amid her ongoing defamation lawsuit is a chilling reminder of how retraumatizing the court process can be for sexual assault survivors, writes Danielle Campoamor, who argues that Carroll’s resilience, carrying on despite intense threats, resists societal stigma.

Danielle Campoamor

After E. Jean Carroll took a seat inside a Manhattan courtroom in her ongoing defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, one legal commentator described her posture as 'not comfortably settled.' She was described as 'perched' on the edge of her seat, 'her back ruler straight, willing herself as far away from her assaulter, who was sitting two rows behind her, as she could … the seated embodiment of a fight-or-flight response.'

Former president Donald Trump and E. Jean Carroll.

On Thursday, Carroll took the stand while the man who was found liable for sexually assaulting her in a luxury department store dressing room in 1996 sat nearby. Carroll’s resilience and courage in facing her assailant and a former president exemplify the power dynamics survivors face.

The Trauma of Seeking Justice

During Carroll’s testimony, Trump repeatedly shook his head, and could be heard 'loudly saying things' such as 'it’s false,' 'she’s gotten her memory back,' and that the lawsuit is 'a witch hunt' and a 'con job.' Trump's behavior and outbursts in the courtroom reflect the retraumatization experienced by survivors when seeking justice.

Carroll’s ongoing pursuit of justice, the court proceedings, and the response of her alleged abuser have been re-traumatizing. When the former columnist first came forward with her allegations, calls to the National Sexual Assault Hotline increased by 53% in just three days, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).

Sketches from E. Jean Carroll's rape allegation against Trump Trial.

Like Carroll, many survivors face the inherent retraumatization of the justice system, which often leads to underreporting of sexual assault cases and reluctance to seek justice.

The Privilege of Seeking Justice

It is a privilege, of sorts, to get your day in court as a survivor of sexual assault — let alone two. The underlying narrative is that survivors like Carroll are 'lucky' to be in such an agonizing position, while simultaneously being blamed if they don’t come forward.

SIOUX CENTER, IOWA - JANUARY 05: Vendors sell campaign merchandise outside of a rally with Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump on January 05, 2024 in Sioux Center, Iowa. Iowa Republicans will be the first to select their party's nomination for the 2024 presidential race when they go to caucus on January 15, 2024. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The societal pressure on survivors to come forward and seek justice often fails to acknowledge the retraumatization experienced in the process. Survivors, like Carroll, endure the denial of their pain, character assassination, and questioning of their intentions.

Carroll’s courage and determination in enduring the retraumatization of seeking justice serve as a powerful message to women and survivors that speaking up and seeking justice is a necessary and brave act.