Sexual assault is not new. There is not a sudden rise in the number of victims because the issue is trending. The only difference between now and then is that there is a surge in awareness that has encouraged previously silenced victims to speak up. Only now has there been an active effort by our society to provide safe spaces for those who need to be heard.
Normalization
The issue has been normalized to the extent where it was more acceptable for the assailant to speak on the event – with pride – rather than for the victim to seek help. Victims are normally only met with comments that belittle their experience. Furthermore, rather than blaming the offender, victims of sexual assault are the ones blamed for the occurrence. The “safe space” provided by us, as a community, was simply not “safe” at all.
Victims of sexual assault were previously unaware that what they were experiencing was not acceptable until the recent increase in awareness. This fact, while great, is very alarming. We cannot allow ourselves to continue to live in a society that encourages the oppressor and demeans the victim to the extremity of oblivion.
Combating the Issue
Painting survivors as deviants and outcasts is a reality that must be broken down and completely abandoned. Instead, the narrative should be flipped entirely. It goes without saying that these responses have a heavy toll on one’s mental health, discouraging them from speaking out in the first place. It is our duty to learn how to respond in order to support those of us who have suffered in silence.
It is vital to understand that there is no comment or action that is too small. Our behaviors have a much larger impact on others than we would like to imagine. Laughing at a misogynistic joke is part of the problem. Supporting an oppressor for the sake of a friendship is part of the problem. In the same way, words of affirmation, encouragement, and reassurance create a bond that facilitates a safe environment for a victim of sexual harassment or assault. You do not have to understand, you just have to be emotionally present.
Our Duty
You are responsible for your reactions. You are responsible for having an attitude that does not instantly defend the oppressor and attack the victim. This requires conscious thinking. Hence, we strongly encourage that you think before you respond because the words you speak carry a weight far heavier than what you perceive. Practice the art of social consciousness.
The fact of the matter is that you sincerely never know the history and the depth of the person who stands in front of you. For that reason, kindness is now more important than it has ever been. Providing support and safety is the first step to aiding the mental health and recovery of someone who desperately needs it.
Parallel to this, your courage to stand against oppressive individuals is a social duty. The losses you incur because of standing for such an important social issue, be it friends or your involvement in social groups, cannot be classified as a “loss”. Rather, they are an immeasurable gain to society that you have contributed to.