"Survivors come forward now, whenever now is, because they have reached the point in their recovery when facing the inevitable 'lying slut' accusation is less terrible than watching their abuser strut around as if that person is not a dangerous, cruel predator who is almost certainly going to hurt someone else if they are not stopped."
"Even powerful women can't escape the blowback, the fear. Even powerful women are steamrolled over and over again by the overwhelming presumption that they are lying, and there is an ulterior motive for coming forward at this particular moment."
"Imagine just being an average person holding that secret. Who are any of us to stand up alone against a rich and powerful man whose very freedom will depend on crushing our credibility?"
Survivors of sexual assault confront significant challenges when sharing their experiences, often facing accusations of dishonesty. Many come forward when they feel the need to expose their abuser, despite the risks involved. Powerful women, like Cassie Ventura and Simone Biles, also experience backlash and doubt. The societal presumption that survivors are lying creates a barrier to justice, as many fear the repercussions of standing against influential perpetrators. The emotional toll of remaining silent can outweigh the fear of public scrutiny.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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