Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town

Content Warning: This section of the guide depicts graphic descriptions of sexual assault and the emotional and psychological impact on survivors.

“You spend your whole life, when you have kids, protecting them [...] But who thinks their daughter’s trusted friend is actually a monster who is going to hurt them in the night?”

Krakauer uses Kevin Huguet’s voice to underscore the parental instinct to protect, juxtaposed with the horror of an unforeseen threat from within one’s trusted circle. The use of the word “monster” invokes a sense of horror, emphasizing the depth of betrayal and the unimaginable nature of the crime, highlighting the emotional devastation that sexual assault inflicts on both survivors and their families.

“For the next four hours I was essentially raped all over again. I had to stand completely naked on a white sheet and let a nurse brush my entire body to collect evidence that might contain Beau’s DNA.”

This quote underscores the invasive nature of the forensic examination process that survivors of sexual assault must endure. Krakauer highlights the psychological impact of this procedure, using Huguet’s voice to convey how the collection of evidence can retraumatize survivors and developing themes of Victim Advocacy and the Challenges Faced by Survivors as well as The Role of Institutions in Perpetuating or Combating Rape Culture. Though such examinations are necessary, Huguet’s testimony implies that the medical establishment often fails to consider the particular needs of survivors.

“Honestly, if I could have found someone who would kill Beau for me, at that time I think I would have paid them to do it. And that started to really scare me—that I was angry enough to think like that.”

This quote reveals the intense and dangerous anger that Huguet harbors as a result of her unresolved trauma. Krakauer uses Huguet’s candid admission to explore the dark, destructive thoughts that can arise from prolonged emotional pain and to convey the internal conflict she faces in confronting the depth of her rage.