Voices of Survivors
Many survivors of sexual assault understandably choose to remain anonymous. I have not met a woman who didn’t grow up being told to stay inside if it gets late or to watch what she wears. The re-traumatization that happens through our legal system and media coverage is clear as we watch the Epstein case unfold. There is so much victim blaming, and every survivor must have agency to choose what is right for them when it comes to sharing their story or seeking justice.
Yet, with the #MeToo movement and the general rise in awareness of SA, many survivors have chosen to speak out. In honor of sexual assault awareness month, I hope to uplift their voices. Here are a few incredible survivors and their work:
Chanel Miller: Miller is an author, artist, and activist. Her 2019 memoir Know My Name is a reclaiming of her narrative after her assault by a Stanford athlete and the proceeding court case People v. Turner in which her trauma was frequently belittled. Miller tells her audience that “While writing Know My Name, I was constantly drawing as a way of letting my mind breathe, reminding myself that life is playful and imaginative… We all deserve a chance to define ourselves, shape our identities, and tell our stories…. We should all be creating space for survivors to speak their truths and express themselves freely.” Her work can be found here.
bell hooks: Born Gloria Jean Watkins (1952-2021) and taking the pen name in honor of her great grandmother, bell hooks was a feminist academic who wrote over 30 books throughout her career. She addressed issues of racial and sexual violence, especially faced by black women. In her book all about love she challenges the notion that love is a feeling, insisting that love is found in actions and cannot coincide with violence.
Richard Gadd: In the podcast, The Interview, Scottish writer, actor, and comedian Richard Gadd shares the complexity of being a male survivor and overcoming rigid expectations of masculinity and stigma in order to share his story. Gadd is known for his Netflix series Baby Reindeer, which is based on his experience of sexual assault by a professional mentor as well as stalking by a woman. Gadd talks about the ongoing process of understanding his sexuality and relationship needs after trauma. His reflections highlight the nonlinear nature of healing.
If your life has been touched by sexual violence, know that you are not alone. Your grief and rage is real and important, and healing and empowerment is possible after trauma.