Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Georgia Romain | Opinion | November 1, 2024
Abstract: This paper is an Op-ed discussing the infamous case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, their sentencing, and their life in prison. I wrote it for an assignment in my COMM 1130 class at the University of Utah. My inspiration for this topic came from the recent Netflix drama series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. I had some prior knowledge of the case, but the show gained significant attention on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which piqued my interest and prompted me to watch it.
After watching the series, I became curious about the real-life events behind the dramatization. I began researching the Menendez brothers’ case independently, delving into court transcripts, interviews, and documentaries. The deeper I looked, the more fascinated I became with the complexities of the trial, the media’s portrayal of the brothers, and the broader societal conversations it sparked about wealth, privilege, and family dynamics.
This assignment allowed me to analyze not only the legal aspects of the case but also the role of media in shaping public perception. True crime, in general, intrigues me because it offers a window into human behavior, justice, and the influence of societal narratives. Writing this Op-ed deepened my understanding of these themes and helped me critically engage with both the media and the legal system.
Erik and Lyle Menendez: and the Stigmatization of Male Sexual Abuse
On the night of August 20, 1989, Lyle and Erik Menendez went into their family home and brutally shot and killed their parents–Jose and “Kitty” Menendez–with shotguns, a fact no one can deny (Associated Press, 2024). The events that unfolded that night would unbeknownst to them alter the course of their lives forever–though at that moment–they had just gotten away with murder. What the public looks at as a gross and violent crime committed by two rich and spoiled brats, is a whole thing entirely different to them. The night of August 20th, was the night Lyle and Erik Menendez became free of their abusers. After approaching nearly 35 years in prison the brothers may be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, with a resentencing hearing set for December.
Given Ryan Murphy’s new series ‘Monsters’ on Netflix, centering around the brothers’ lives–detailing a dramatized reenactment of their family lifestyle and story has cast a renewed sense of hope and focus on the case. It features depictions of intense therapy sessions, the killing of their parents, and bits of both of their harrowing trials recounting the disgusting abuse they faced at the hands of their father–and the complacency of their mother within that. The series not only brought an immense amount of attention to the brothers and their story, but it has also created public uproar with many viewers now vouching for a reexamination of their case.
I, like so many others, believe in the brothers’ testimony. The stigma surrounding male sexual abuse victims is deeply imgrained in societal attitudes and cultural norms. The question has often been raised that if the brothers were sisters, would the outcome of their case be a completely different story. Traditional views of masculinity support the idea of men being strong, resilient, and invulnerable, which could explain why it is often more difficult for male survivors to admit experiences that may be perceived as a “weakness.” People frequently wonder why the brothers never said anything to their longtime therapist, Jerome Oziel about their abuse–but people don’t realize the fear and intimidation the boys were under by their father. The stigma surrounding male abuse can very easily lead men and boys to suppress their trauma and avoid reaching out for help–especially when faced with the intense intimidation the boys were likely under–concealing their father’s secret. This avoidant behavior can easily lead to prolonged psychological distress. When the brothers did begin to disclose their abuse, they faced utter disbelief, minimization, and even ridicule by the media. Many people hold on to the belief that men are somehow “immune” to being victims of sexual abuse–but today there is more thoughtful conjecture surrounding sexual abuse victims–reguardless of gender–than there was in the 1990s.
When looking at the stigmatization of male sexual abuse victims another layer that really showed itself throughout the trial of the brothers was the association of male victimization with homosexuality, especially if the perpetrator was male. This causes an additional layer of confusion and shame for heterosexual male survivors. Erik Menendez testified to nearly twelve-years of sexual abuse by his father, he said himself that made him question his own sexuality and feelings surrounding sex (Abrahamson, 1994). Unfortunately, such a huge focus of the case in the media was concerned with Erik’s sexuality. Men’s fears of being labeled with homophobic prejudices could very reasonably deter men from openly confronting their abuse and even talking about it. Erik and Lyle’s story is a prime example of male sexual abuse not taken very seriously at least back then. However, it is very understandable that people may view the brutality of the crime committed by the brothers could in no way be a reasonable act of self defense. Shooting someone with a shotgun at close range is an immensely violent crime. Many people also question the boys’ fears of their lives being in danger, of feeling like the lives of the parents had to end in order for the abuse to stop–but not many people can say what years of sexual and general abuse during the most formative years of someone’s life can lead them to do.
A lack of visibility and support can further isolate male survivors, subsequently reinforcing the stigma. Addressing the issue requires shifting societal perceptions, educating people on not just the prevalence of male sexual abuse but also ways of ensuring male victims receive the empathy understanding and belief that is often more awarded to female survivors of sexual abuse. Lyle and Erik have dedicated much of their efforts in prison to victims of sexual abuse. They have become outspoken advocates for survivors of sexual abuse given the deep tie to their personal history. Lyle has worked to support fellow inmates who are survivors like him, continually offering guidance and encouragement to share their stories and begin their healing journeys; Erik, too, has taken on a leadership role, using his experiences to raise awareness about the long-term effects of abuse and trauma (Shapiro, 2024) . Their advocacy efforts have extended beyond the prison walls, as they have continued to share their journey–encouraging others to seek justice that was robbed from them.
Their involvement in rehabilitation efforts for survivors has been met with both skepticism and support, but the Menendez brothers have remained committed to supporting survivors, often stressing the importance of breaking cycles of silence and the stigma surrounding male abuse survivors. Their actions have fostered a community within their respective prisons and they continue to work on these efforts as they were reunited for the first time since sentencing in two decades (Schnurr, 2018). Their story details an extreme case of sexual violence and abuse, and its not easy for some to grasp why they did what they did on the night of August 20, 1989–but what people need to understand is Lyle and Erik Menendez are victims. The stigma of male sexual abuse surrounding their case ultimately played a huge part in their life sentence. It if a relief to many and a win to sexual abuse survivors everywhere that their case stands to be reexamined–they have paid their dues to society for their crime–and may justice prevail.
*This is a mock writing sample intended for educational purposes in my COMM 1130 class at the University of Utah. All views, opinions, and thoughts are my own.
