Trigger warning: This article contains mention of sexual assault.
Anatomy of a Scandal is one of the best crime series currently streaming on Netflix. This eight-part mini-series surrounds a court case where politician James Whitehouse has been accused of sexual assault. The accuser is a former staff member who he had an affair with as a married man.
About the Series: Spoilers Included
In this series you see barrister Kate Woodcroft, played by Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery, take this tough case on. She sets out to prove that this man is a rapist, with twists and turns in every episode when you least expect it.
The challenges that those face when accusing someone of sexual assault are evident. This is shown when the victim has her career, intentions, and sexual exploits exposed to the entire courtroom and, of course, for the jury to see.
Anatomy of a Scandal also shows the accused’s warped mentality of consent, believing that ‘he knew best’ if they wanted to have sex with him or if they didn’t. Watching a fleeting moment of what he describes as ‘passion’ for the man, compared to the start of an unbelievably hard journey as a survivor for the females, who were victims of this assault, is a heavy watch indeed. Yet it shows the huge impact your actions have on others. It also demonstrates why consent should be taught and understood from a very young age.
This show demonstrates the power relations between people thinking they are ‘untouchable’ and emphasizes how hard sexual abuse cases are to prove. This series is based on a book by Sarah Vaughan. The way they film the cutaways is artistically brilliant.
This series will make you think and make your heart race during the more heart-wrenching scenes.
Trigger Warning
This is a trigger warning as there are scenes of rape, questions around consent, and sexual abuse. Be ensured to talk to someone who can help if you, or someone you know, is suffering or in a potentially dangerous situation.