Sometimes words are not sufficient to convey an individual’s feelings. In these cases, visuals can be used to speak everything that the author cannot find the words to express. Upon Brock Turner’s unexpected and early release from an already light sentence, many people were shocked and outraged. One individual’s response through visual text conveys the messages of anger and serves as a statement against sexual assaults on the whole. Yana Mazurkevich, a student photographer, shot a series of photos to depict the unjust nature of Brock Turner’s trial and the sexual assaults that happen. The final shot in this series sends a powerful message about society’s perspective on sexual assault and the mishandling of Turner’s case. 

The image shows a young woman with brown hair laying in front of a dumpster, a soulless, dead expression on her face. Her underwear has been unceremoniously yanked to her ankles, her bra lays beside her on the ground, and her cardigan has been pushed off the shoulder, wrinkling the fabric. The expression on the girl’s face is the most telling and painful thing to look at in the image, as a sort of hopelessness overtakes her features. The disheveled appearance of her clothing hints to the tragic instance of assault. Despite the assailant not being in the picture, the reader must assume that the assault did occur, as that is the basis for the argument in the visual text. Without being overly graphic, Mazurkevich shows the physical and psychological aftermath of an assault.

The background of the image further enhances the gritty nature of the picture and adds to the implication of an assault. The dumpster in the background highly suggests that the author is referring to the Turner case in this particular image, as does the missing assailant. In every other picture in the series, the assailant is pictured, but in this one, all the reader can see is the victim, presumably because the author wants readers to infer that they already know who the assailant is. The dumpsters are a rusted metallic and the ground is mostly gravel. Trash lies near the victim’s head, an empty beer can lying out. The colors and environment serve to create a cold, unfeeling atmosphere. Readers can see that the assault would have been painful and careless, and that the assailant clearly saw his victim as being as insignificant to him as the trash she lies beside. 

Only two words are incorporated into the picture, written boldly across the dumpster. It reads simply, “IT HAPPENED”. As the reader can presume this is about the Brock Turner case, these words stand as a powerful slight against the handling of the case. The assault happened, Turner is guilty, and the punishment did not fit the crime. These words also stand as an argument against the general societal perception of rape and sexual assault. The general public is quick to scrutinize the victim and look for reasons to dismiss the claims. “IT HAPPENED” could be a response to, “Well, she was drinking” or “What did she expect when she wore that?” because it seems those things do not matter to the author. Regardless of that information, it happened. 

Readers can also consider the context in terms of the author’s perspective. Being a college student herself, Yana Mazurkevich may identify strongly with the subject in her visual text, as they would be of similar ages and same gender. The message conveyed in this image could be directed to society as a whole, as a plea to take such crimes more seriously. It could be directed to Brock Turner and the judge who ruled on his case, as a reminder that what happened will not be easily forgotten, and that the legal mishap does not mean that the public will be so forgiving. It could be directed to college students everywhere, as a reminder to take care of each other or directed at sexual assault victims specifically to show them that they are not alone. There are many messages that can be inferred from the visual text. 

The image is designed to provoke anger and sympathy in its viewers. It is a painful reminder of the prejudice people still have against women who are assaulted. It shines a light on the disgraceful ruling on Turner’s case. The author attempts to create a sort of call-to-action, challenging the public to look at the aftermath of assault and the effect it can have on its victims. It is effective in its argument that sexual assault does happen and has profound and lasting effects on the victim. There is no reason or excuse for such crimes, and the images force those who would rather shame the victim to actually face what victims live with after they go through something so traumatic.

In Yana Mazurkevich’s photo series, she uses powerful visual elements to persuade viewers to see her argument about sexual assault and rape. Visual aspects help Mazurkevich to recreate a painful and tragic seen to connect with readers more powerfully than words might. This kind of communication through visuals can be seen throughout several mediums, whether film or art, but it is a “text” all the same and can be interpreted the same way that one might interpret a story or poem. There is latent symbolism, clear themes, and the author draws the viewer's attention to the most important parts of the piece using color, spacing and body placement. When words are insufficient in conveying an argument, visuals can be used to supplement written text and physically show the viewer what the argument is without literally spelling it out. 
