The Hunting Ground
April 5, 2016
There are about 293,000 victims of sexual assault in the US every year.
An American is sexually assaulted every two minutes.
Nine of ten violated victims are female.
One out of six American women have been victims of sexual assaults.
One in five female college students are sexually assaulted.
Though these statistics are the result of a decline in sexual violence from previous years, it’s still terrifying. However, rape culture and sexual violence is most high in college campuses.
The Hunting Ground is a documentary written and directed by Kirby Dick. Kirby Dick has also made the movie The Invisible War, an investigative movie on rape in U.S. military and was nominated for the Academy’s. Other movies he has written and directed are Outrage, This Film is Not Yet Rated, Twist of Faith, Derrida, and Sick: The Life & Death of Bob Flanagan, Masochist. All of them have received nominations for critically acclaimed awards and some have won awards.
The documentary follows the story of two student-activists and victims who campaign about sexual assault at colleges. Interviews with victims, law enforcement, school officials, and families of victims show the growing problem of campus rape in the United States. It reveals interviews with victims unraveling the problem of campus rape and college’s lack of or too much involvement.
Kirby Dick is known for his investigative approach to his eye-opening documentaries about controversial topics.
The documentary was nominated for the Academy’s and won 2 awards. It was nominated for many other prestigious awards. The documentary has received lots of praise.
“The Hunting Ground,” a documentary shocker about rape on American college campuses, is a must-watch work of cine-activism. -The New York Times
“The Hunting Ground” is still most effective as an emotional experience and, with luck, as a galvanizing one.” -Washington Post
“Sexual assault on college campuses is an increasingly high-profile news topic, and Oscar nominee Kirby Dick expertly kicks this hornet’s nest with this documentary.” -New York Post
88% of victims do not report on campus. And why should they? It is very, very rare for colleges to involve authority in order to save their own reputation. In fact, they discourage victims and try hard to shush them instead of trying hard to give consequences to culprits. Money plays a gigantic role in this.
The movie features an emotional song by the talented Lady Gaga. The song, “Til It Happens To You,” with Gaga’s powerful vocals adds to the poignant feel of the documentary. It was written by award-winning songwriter Diane Warren and Gaga herself.
The song was an instant hit and was nominated for Best Original Song at the Oscars this year.
Lady Gaga speaks from experience when it comes to this song. In 2014, Gaga revealed in an interview that she had been sexually assaulted as a teenager and had to go through emotional, mental, and physical therapy for it. Gaga has written and sang another song called “Swine” in 2013 inspired by her traumatic experience.
Lady Gaga’s aunt was also sexually assaulted in college, which caused her lupus to get worse. She’s passed away.
At the 2016 Oscars, Gaga performed the song, passionately, and received great praise for it. As she approached the end of the song, victims of sexual assault were revealed behind a curtain as she played and sang. Victims had phrases such as “worthless” and “not enough” written on their arms, which they held up in solidarity.
Lots of anti-sexual assault organizations deal with and/or help prevent sexual assault all over America and in California, specifically too. Here is a list:
- Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN)
- End Rape on Campus (EROC)
- The Data Safe Project (DSP)
- California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA)
- Student Coalition Against Rape (SCAR)
The rape helpline set up by RAINN is 1 (800) 656-HOPE.
The Hunting Ground is a must-watch for all. It is equally interesting and eye-opening, giving us the harsh truth behind campus rape and colleges in America. You can stream it on Netflix or purchase it on On Demand. For information on screenings, visit