Florida — The Florida National Organization for Women (NOW) strongly condemns the decision by the Sarasota State Attorney’s Office not to prosecute former Florida GOP chairman Christian Ziegler for the alleged sexual battery and videotaping of a woman in her Sarasota apartment. This decision sends a troubling message about accountability for sexual violence and the protection of survivors.
Neurobiology of trauma informs us of how the brain and body respond to trauma and help us understand the various ways that survivors of sexual trauma react. It is critical that this science is understood and considered when evaluating the credibility of survivors.
The decision by the Sarasota State Attorney’s Office, as outlined in their three-page memo, raises serious concerns. While acknowledging the victim’s substantial intoxication and trauma, the memo fails to fully consider the impact of trauma on memory and the complexities of sexual violence cases.
It is deeply troubling that the decision not to prosecute was based on the victim’s inconsistencies in recalling key details of the event, as well as her expressed inability to recall whether she consented to recording the sexual activity. These inconsistencies are not uncommon in cases of sexual violence and should not be used to discredit the survivor’s account.
Trauma creates disruption in the limbic system of the brain which stores emotional responses to experiences. The amygdala is the “fear center” of the brain. Trauma response & memory is stored in amygdala. This is the reason that individuals commonly have a lot of emotions when recalling traumatic experiences. When the amygdala is activated during a traumatic experience, it interferes with the hippocampus. The hippocampus is involved with recall of memory, particularly long-term memory. This means that when someone is having a traumatic response or trying to recall memories of a traumatic event, they may not be able to recall details of the event or their recall of the event may not be chronological or linear, which is called fragmented memory. Fragmented memory is a completely natural way of processing traumatic events. (1)
Furthermore, the memo acknowledges that the victim had no financial, political, or malicious personal motivation to report the incident, yet fails to adequately address the power dynamics at play in cases involving high-profile individuals like Christian Ziegler.
The Florida National Organization for Women stands in solidarity with survivors of sexual violence and calls for a thorough review of the decision not to prosecute Christian Ziegler. We urge the Sarasota State Attorney’s Office to prioritize the safety and well-being of survivors and to ensure that justice is served in this case.
From Florida NOW Legislative Director Kat Duesterhaus: “As a survivor of sexual assault unable to recall details of the assault, I know firsthand the challenges that survivors face in recalling traumatic events. Trauma disrupts the limbic system of the brain, affecting memory processing and recall. It is crucial that the neurobiology of trauma is understood and considered when evaluating the credibility of survivors. The decision not to prosecute Christian Ziegler, based on inconsistencies in the victim’s recall, is deeply troubling and underscores the need for greater sensitivity and understanding in cases of sexual violence. In 2021, the state passed legislation requiring trauma informed investigation training for all law enforcement officers in Florida. However, it seems State Attorneys do not yet have that same level of training, and that is a problem for the safety of Floridians.”
For media inquiries, please contact Florida NOW Legislative Director Kat Duesterhaus at 772.267.6353.
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About Florida National Organization for Women (NOW):
The Florida National Organization for Women is Florida’s most historic non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of women and girls for over 50 years.
