Criticism from the media is very prevalent when women come out with their stories of sexual assault. Whether its social media comments saying we are doing this for attention or men telling us to keep our legs closed this is an issue that we have faced our whole lives. This issue causes us to hide away and keep our mouths shut which is what the media wants.
Sharing a sexual assault experience is one of the bravest things a woman can do but it is also very difficult. Someone can receive so much support and love but it also comes along with people not believing them and accusing them of lying for attention. Men will fill the comments talking about their fears of being wrongly accused and it ruing their life and career. When in reality we have seen the accusation of sexual assault do nothing to a man’s career. Several public figures such as Donald Trump, Ansel Elgort, Brett Kavanaugh, and many more have been accused of sexual assault with no repercussions.
So many women have not gotten justice because men are not held accountable. Instead of holding men accountable, the media provides women with ways to protect themselves from these incidents. We are told to cover up, carry a weapon, close our legs, and don’t go to parties. The media has brainwashed women into thinking this is our fault and we need to do more to prevent this.
Women have been able to come together to create spaces for sexual assault survivors. Movements such as Metoo have given women resources, tools, education, and so much more for sexual assault survivors. Although this has allowed women a safe space, society is still not where they should be. I want you to know that it should not be our responsibility to teach the perpetrators about sexual assault. I am not writing this to tell you to go out of your way and educate men, but to hold them accountable for their actions. I want us to call out the toxic behaviors and actions that men commit and to be by each others sides while doing so. We have to stick together and believe one another even when no one else does. Do you think we should be doing more to spread awareness and educate men on this subject? To help make a change share this post with women you know.
