The Outpouring of Sexual Assault Cases

I'm disheartened to see so many cases of sexual assault by people in power, though I'm not surprised one bit. Harvey Weinstein, Ben Affleck, Dr. Larry Nassar, Bill O’Reilly, Steven Seagal, R. Kelly, and even former president George H. W. Bush, along with several others, have recently been accused of sexual assault or harassment. This is our society; it is so deeply rooted in us. We let rape jokes slide, demean and dehumanize women, don’t hold perpetrators accountable, and blame victims for their assault. We teach people how not to get assaulted/raped, but we don't teach people to not rape.

(Here’s a video put together by Huffington Post about many of the allegations that have come out following the allegations against Harvey Weinstein: https://www.facebook.com/HuffPost/videos/544774159200069/)

Sexual assault and harassment are about power and control, and when perpetrators have additional power due to their position in society or industry, it is bound to be a breeding ground for sexual assault and harassment to thrive – unless we decide not to put up with it and make sure there are consequences for these actions.

However, I'm heartened to see so many survivors come forward with their stories. With each new story, they take their power back and give power to so many other survivors who have not been able to come forward. Until we unequivocally denounce and punish perpetrators of sexual assault, this problem will continue to exist. Until we believe survivors and not let their perpetrators hold powerful positions, sexual assault will prevail. It's time to change the narrative of sexual assault. No matter who the perpetrator is we must not put up with it.

There are three things, in particular, I want you to remember as more and more stories of sexual assault come forward:

      1.     Sexual assault doesn't just happen to white people. In fact, we know it happens at a higher rate to people of color (POC), along with other vulnerable populations. We cannot forget our sisters and brothers of color in this fight. There are more complexities/difficulties for POC in coming forward with their stories. We must recognize those systems and biases that make it harder for them and make room/safe space for them to come forward. If/When they come forward with their stories we must believe them and support them just as much, if not more. We must believe all survivors of sexual violence.

      2.     I know it's hard to see people we love to be accused and/or found guilty of sexual assault or harassment. Take time to grieve your hero, but please do not let it harden you toward survivors. The blame lies entirely on the perpetrator. Be careful with your words and attitudes. People in power who sexually assault are successful in victimizing and getting away their crime because of their influence and the public’s positive perception of them. Often the victim fears no one will believe them if they come forward with their story, so they stay silent. This makes it essential to tell survivors we believe them and will protect them, even when their perpetrator is a powerful, public figure. We play a crucial role in changing the tide on a society that is permeated by sexual assault. We must not let our feelings get in the way of allowing survivors to come forward. We must not prevent survivors from coming forward because we don’t want to hear or believe bad things about our role models. That is exactly what their perpetrators want.

      3.     Do not grow weary of the reports and allegations and do not become numb to them. It will be tempting to say that it isn’t possible that this many people in power have committed sexual assault or harassment. It will be wake-up to say that it’s just becoming a trend to come forward with these allegations or the alleged victims just want attention. The number of people recently coming forward is just a huge wake up call of what we’ve known all along: sexual assault and harassment are extremely prevalent in our society, but victims are silenced by our systems, dynamics of power and control, and victim blaming.

We are seeing a wave of people coming forward because survivors are giving each other the power to come forward. When one person comes forward, other survivors feel empowered and realize they are not alone in what they’ve experienced. There is a powerful momentum right now to change this enormous problem that has been largely ignored. This isn't a new problem; we have just been sweeping it under the rug for far too long. Enough is enough. We are part of the solution.

We must protect and show up for each other and our shared humanity.

Written by Missy H., Union County Legal Advocate