Page 24 of By the Time You Read This (Raisa Susanto #3)

Most people know the big serial killers—Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy.

The aficionados among us can even spout off some of their victims’ names. Lisa Levy, Margaret Bowman. Steven Hicks, Anthony Sears. Kenneth Parker.

But violence isn’t limited to the perpetrator and victim. Think of it instead as a rock dropped into a lake. The worst of the ripples, of course, are right around the point of impact, but then they flow out.

Those outside ripples? They’re the secondary victims of violent crime. They’re the loved ones, the family, the friends, the coworkers, even acquaintances who suffer the traumatic loss.

Depending on how big the stone—and considering we’re talking about the victims of sadistic serial killers, that stone is pretty big—the impact can have devastating effects across the entirety of this metaphorical lake.

Our obsession with serial killers isn’t new, or even all that disturbing. As highly social animals, it makes sense that we’re intrigued by the abnormal. But in our current media environment, that obsession can turn into real harm.

The serial killer you’re obsessed with is likely either dead or in jail. And it’s too late to save their victims. But the loved ones? They’re out there in the world, and you do have some responsibility to treat them with respect if you’re engaging with their stories.

This isn’t the junk food of culture, something to consume in a mindless haze.

I’m not here to tell you participating in true crime culture is bad or dangerous or wrong. All I’m asking is that you participate in it thoughtfully.

So, how do you do that?

Number One, ask yourself, whose stories are you listening to? Are they all some version of the Missing White Woman Syndrome? If so, is there a way you can branch out to listen to the stories of people from marginalized groups who have become victims, whose murders far fewer people are interested in solving?

Number Two, how much are the hosts commoditizing the murders? Are they selling merchandise? Do they have catchphrases? Are they constantly trying to get you to subscribe? Things of that nature are dehumanizing to the victim and their families.

Number Three, how are you participating in the culture? Are you becoming an armchair sleuth? Are you emailing the victims’ families, or sending mobs after them because of your latest theory? Are you advocating for more awareness when people of color go missing, and not just young white girls?

What are the lines not to cross? I don’t have the answers for you.

I’m not here to scold you, but rather present a reminder to myself as well.

Don’t yourself become another rock dropped into that lake where people are trying not to drown.