Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer

In his riveting book, Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town, journalist Jon Krakauer takes readers on a disturbing journey through the streets of a small university town in Montana, where the shocking realities of campus sexual assault and the criminal justice system’s handling of them come to light. Through a series of chapters and interviews, Krakauer reveals how rape culture on college campuses affects victims and offenders, as well as how perpetrators and their victims may be further victimized by a system that is ill equipped to handle cases of campus sexual assault.

Krakauer begins by interviewing and investigating the stories of five University of Montana students who have reported incidents of rape. He delves into the harrowing details of what each of these young women experienced, and shines a light on the individual struggles they face in dealing with the aftermath of their attacks. Through speaking with the victims and their families, he paints a picture of a pervasive culture of victim-blaming and silencing that dissuades them from seeking help and justice.

Breaking down both culture and policy, Krakauer then examines how rape is handled in Missoula (and college towns across the country) in the criminal justice system. He looks at the failures of police departments, district attorneys, and the university to actually bring perpetrators to justice, as well as the consequences this has on victims. Krakauer notes that, in many cases, university officials place the reputation of the university ahead of justice for the victims, which sends a powerful message to potential perpetrators that their actions will go unchecked.

As Krakauer continues to investigate the culture of rape and its role in a college town, he moves beyond Missoula to look at other cases of rape on college campuses, as well as how the resulting trials and investigations often play out in much the same way. By blending personal accounts, statistics, and court documents, Krakauer paints a vivid picture of a justice system that is often unable and unwilling to hold rapists accountable.

By the end of the book, Krakauer offers guidance on the steps that can be taken to combat campus rape, as well as a call to action for schools, their administrations, and law enforcement. Krakauer’s message is clear: that in order to create meaningful change, we as a society need to do more to both protect and empower victims and to make sure that perpetrators are punished for their crimes. Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town is an eye-opening look into the reality of campus sexual assault, and it serves as an important call to tackle this societal ill.