How My Office Handled A Sexual Assault Case (And How I Reacted)

Recently, I had a situation that makes me wonder how I could not get up and say something. I work in a human resource department and we deal with many issues. Most recently, my department dealt with a sexual assault case of one of our employees. I am not directly involved in employee relations, because my functional area is different, but the individuals who handle these items have an office across from me. I am not going to go into details of the case due to confidentiality, but one day at work, there was a meeting regarding it. One of the comments made in this meeting was this: I’m not sure why she can’t get over this, it’s not like she was penetrated. When I heard that statement, I became sick to my stomach. I understand that we are a business and must do what’s best for the business. But this is a human being who was violated—regardless of what degree of assault or harassment it was. The event was only a few months ago; one just doesn’t get over something like this. I sat it my office. I did nothing nor did I say anything. Should I have? I still contemplate this to this day. Or did my coworker really not mean it and were just taking business? Is that even acceptable?There are still so many answers I do not have.