Notes on a Silencing by Lacy Crawford Summary
Overview of Notes on a Silencing
Lacy Crawford's memoir exposes her sexual assault at St. Paul's School and the institution's shocking cover-up. Named a Best Book by Time and NYT, this haunting narrative prompted a formal apology decades later. What other elite institutions are still silencing victims today?
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Key takeaways
The Silencing That Echoes Through Hallowed Halls
At fifteen, Lacy Crawford arrived at St. Paul's School in New Hampshire-a prestigious boarding school that groomed America's elite. What happened within those Gothic walls would haunt her for decades. When two hockey players sexually assaulted her one night in their dorm room, it wasn't just the violation itself that would leave lasting scars. It was what followed: a systematic institutional betrayal that transformed a traumatized teenager into "not a good girl" in the eyes of those meant to protect her. The assault left her throat ravaged with herpes-a diagnosis the school concealed from her while simultaneously destroying her reputation. Twenty-five years later, when investigators uncovered medical records documenting this cover-up, the machinery of privilege once again mobilized to protect the institution rather than seek justice. This isn't just a story about sexual assault-it's about how power operates, how reputations are weaponized, and how the most prestigious institutions can betray their most fundamental responsibilities to those in their care.
The Gilded Cage of American Privilege
A Life-Altering Campus Incident
The Machinery of Institutional Betrayal
Finding Light in Darkness
Justice Denied, Voice Reclaimed
Breaking the Cycle of Institutional Failure
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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