Sexual Assault in Holland

Analysis:

This story deals with a sexual assault case in Holland. After the opening comments from the news readers the reporter frames the story early on by quoting the police who said “what they should’ve done is run. Get away from Saul Salas as fast as they could.” Does making this statement put the blame or the focus on the behavior of the 3 girls? The police repeat this by saying “This is a huge reminder to our parents that we need to reiterate with our children to be safe and act diligently and to say no, run away.” The story then turns attention to the possible whereabouts of the perpetrator, with an invitation for viewers to call police if they know anything. In addition to focusing on the girls behavior this story does not put into context the realities of sexual assault, what the profile of perpetrators are, what the incidents of sexual assault in Holland are, nor information on prevention of sexual assault, resources in the community or where victims can get help.

Story:

Lee Van Ameyde: Michigan State Police want to find this man tonight.

Juliet Dragos: They say he lured 3 teenage girls, on their way to school, into his car and sexually assaulted them. Good evening I’m Juliet Dragos.

And Im Lee Van Ameyde, police said it happened 2 weeks ago when a Holland man asked the girls if they wanted to party, the girls jumped into his car and then drove off.

Juliet Dragos: Police say 33year old Saul Salas gave the teenagers beer and marijuana before sexually assaulting them. WZZM Phil Dawson joins us now from our news room with more.

Reporter: Investigators say they don’t know what the girls were expecting when they got into the mans car instead of continuing on to Holland High School, but police say what they should’ve done is run. Get away from Saul Salas as fast as they could. The 3 girls, 2 age 15 and 1, 16, were almost to Holland High School when police say a 33year old man drove up with an offer they did not refuse.

Police: Asking these 3 young ladies if they wanted to party.

Reporter: Investigators believe that 33year old Saul Salas of Holland drove the girls to a house in Saugatuck, gave them beer and marijuana and sexually assaulted all 3.

Police: This is a huge reminder to our parents that we need to reiterate with our children to be safe and act diligently and to say no, run away

Reporter: Holland police believe 33year old Saul Salas may have tried to lure school girls into his car before, 3 to 5 times since last fall, always with a similar sales pitch.

Police: Basically approaching saying do you want a ride is what some of these young victims would state. That he offered them a ride or asked if they needed to go somewhere.

Reporter: Police believe Salas may now be hiding in Mexico, but they say its also possible he’s cruising around looking for new victims.

Police: I hope not, but we have been stepping up our patrols and watching for the suspect.

Reporter: It took 2 weeks for police to get a warrant for Saul Salas and he may have used the time to leave the area, if not the country. Police would like a phone call from anyone who knows where he is. In the news room, Phil Dawson, WZZM 13 News.