Sexual assaults are the most under-reported crimes in America. Kudos to the survivors who are speaking out about it for the first time on Twitter. Check out the hashtag #ididnotreport to view survivors who’ve posted (in 140 characters or less) their experience with sexual assault or street harassment that they didn’t report. Men and women all over the world have been sharing personal stories. You can post too. Here’s a sampling of #ididnotreport tweets:
Debbie Chiang@debbiechiang: #ididnotreport that I was asleep when I lost my virginity, because I was dating him at the time.
AlexandraGoldstein@mokuska: #Ididnotreport the guy who ran up to my best friend & me as we walked along, shoved his hands into our crotches and ran away laughing.
Martha Martha@CornishCalzone: #ididnotreport the boy in my class who repeatedly put his hand up my skirt. I was embarrassed that I’d “made it happen”. I was 11.
Katharine@rockon_musegirl: #ididnotreport because the first time I tried telling someone they asked what I was wearing. It was an orange bikini. I was 12.
BeckyB@MrsBeBe_#ididnotreport systematic sexual abuse over a 2 yr period by boys at my school because teachers didn’t believe me so why would anyone else?
cate cate@birdgehrl: #ididnotreport the man who would not listen to me when I said no, even though I was drunk.
Vicky Kapoor@hrsyofgrmnghst: #ididnotreport because I have no faith in our justice system where so few rapists are jailed + victims are treated like perpetrators.
Nicole Sullivan@stubbornella: #ididnotreport because I was too little to know I had any right to my own body… to say no.
TimChevalier@eassumption: I’ve seen firsthand how much shaming and ridicule is directed at people who report harassment. #ididnotreport is an understandable reaction.
aimee@moewytchdog: #ididnotreport because he was a police officer.
RaeLeaver@raethepain: So much respect for those contributing to the #ididnotreport tag. I can’t, because I *did* report it and the police told me I had no case.
RopesToInfinity@RopesToInfinity: The #ididnotreport hashtag makes for some pretty sobering reading. We have a depressingly long way to go.
DavidAaronovitch@DAaronovitch: #ididnotreport is an extraordinary hashtag. Saddening. Enraging.
witchoAngmar@gwrthryfel: If you want to understand why feminism and feminist movements are still vitally important–> #ididnotreport
JohnAllsopp@JAScarb: #Ididnotreport the 3 people in my school class (35yrs ago) who got girl unconscious at party & screwed her & denied when she visited in the morning
EmilyKoehlerLemaire@eklemaire: I am in awe of the courageous disclosures on the #ididnotreport hashtag. #breakthesilence #vaw #sheparty
Jodie@MsJodieLW: If you are disclosing on the #ididnotreport and #webelieveyouhashtags make sure you look after yourself, whatever that might involve.
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Thanks to my wonderful self-defense course teachers at IMPACT-DC for sharing this story with me.
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TokoBali says
20 March, 2012 at 7:14 pmMy first thought when reading this was “maybe not smart for these victims to throw this on twitter.” Second though (0.5 seconds later): “What the … was I thinking. They’re not the ones who should be ashamed.” Gets me to think about how even those who are not involved with sex crimes can do damage with a wrong attitude (me and my crazy brain in this instant). Best to check ourselves on this. Guess that’s the least we can do.
Allison Leotta says
20 March, 2012 at 8:34 pmHey TokoBali, It’s refreshing to hear someone talk about their reaction so honestly. I do think that, as a society, we’ve come a long way (compare how Western democracies handle sex crimes to the treatment rape victims receive in countries like Morocco, where they can be forced to marry their rapist). But we still have some ways to go. Talking about it is a crucial part of getting there. Thanks for being part of the conversation.
LuLu says
23 March, 2012 at 8:06 amAs always- your information is relevant and soo helpfull-thanks
Allison Leotta says
23 March, 2012 at 4:55 pmThanks, Lulu!
Laura Mogler says
10 April, 2012 at 10:09 pmGreat post and I will be sharing the hastag far and wide. Also wanted to add that there needs to more transparency with how victims are able to get a temporary restraining order. I am trying to help my friend who is in NJ get a TRO and didn’t realize that the state of New Jersey pretty much keeps this process a TOTAL SURPRISE until you go to the police station or court (meaning you can’t find the forms anywhere online — on a state website, etc.) My friend went to court and basically had none of the information they wanted and was so freaked out by the whole thing that she just left. We’re gearing up to go again tomorrow. And tonight, I FINALLY found where you can see the forms so you know exactly what info you need to bring. I will post the link here (it’s to a law website) http://www.weinbergerlawgroup.com/Domestic-Violence/Help-How-To-DV-Restraining-Order-Process.html just in case anyone ends up here via google because they have been looking for the same thing. Stay strong, sisters! Allison, I will buy you books — they look great!
Allison Leotta says
12 April, 2012 at 12:36 amGood for you, for figuring out the NJ TRO system — and thanks for sharing the link. Yeah, more courthouses need to be more electronically transparent. There’s no excuse for not having the info online these days. Best of luck to your friend. Stay strong!
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