The cast of HBO’s Girls released a powerful video in support of the Stanford rape survivor and all victims of sexual assault.
You can watch it here:
I dedicate this to the brave survivor in the Stanford case who has given so much to change the conversation. https://t.co/KMOJUxvPu0
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) June 8, 2016
During the video, the cast sheds light on some harsh realities. For example, according to the CDC:
—1 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime.
—Further, in 80% of those cases, those attacks are perpetrated by someone they know.
—And, 1 in 4 girls will be sexually abused before the age of 18.
The release of the video comes on the same day that the woman, who was sexually assaulted at Stanford University, explained why she has decided to remain anonymous. In what she called, “a statement” to a Fox affiliate, she explained:
“I remain anonymous, yes to protect my identity. But it is also a statement, that all of these people are fighting for someone they don’t know. That’s the beauty of it. I don’t need labels, categories, to prove I am worthy of respect, to prove that I should be listened to. I am coming out to you as simply a woman wanting to be heard. Yes there is plenty more I’d like to tell you about me. For now, I am every woman.”
This sexual assault case gained significant national attention within the last week after the woman’s assailant, Brock Turner, was sentenced to only six months in jail for the attack. The case received even greater attention after a statement that the victim read in court to Turner went viral.
Photos of Brock Turner, Credit: Stanford Department of Public Safety/ Santa Clara
As various media outlets continue to discuss the case, many are also attempting to remove the judge (who gave Turner such a lenient sentence) through a Change.org petition.
To gain even more impact around the issue of eradicating sexual assault, maybe there should also be much-needed conversations around the shame and the silence that many victims often endure (particularly on college campuses). For example, the Daily Beast recently uncovered that “Stanford University reported a sexual assault every two weeks in the three years leading up to Brock Turner’s rape of an unconscious woman in 2015.” These types of conversations could create tremendous change and help victims to come forward or to not feel so alone.
Like the cast of Girls, let’s all begin to take a greater stand against sexual assault and in comforting victims. By doing so, hopefully sexual assaults can be eradicated, victims will not have to suffer in silence, and justice can be served.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, you can contact the RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) online hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673).
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