A Special Message to Survivors from The Feminist Sexpert
As we awake to the news this morning that Harvey Weinstein’s New York rape conviction has been overturned citing an unfair trial, a number of women, not to mention sexual assault survivors of all identities, are reacting with anger, sadness, grief and rage–feelings that right now seem overwhelming, weakening and even paralyzing.
Speaking to you today as Megan, as the Feminist Sexpert, as a woman who has devoted her life and much of her journalistic career to these causes, I am here today to deliver a single simple message to any and all who need to hear it:
You are not alone. You are stronger than you know. You are mighty. And no one, and I mean no one, will silence you or reduce your impact.
Since the dawn of the Me Too movement, assault survivors have come so far in their fight to be heard. To be recognized. To receive the justice that has been denied them for far too long. That has not changed. Nothing can diminish the victories, in and out of court, the awareness, the beautiful expressions and indomitable truths that have arisen from this movement.
The same rage and need for justice that conceived and impelled this movement is the very thing that will keep it alive. We will not be silent, we will not give up. We will keep fighting. And we shall prevail.
Anyone who needs to talk and share their feelings can reach out to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) at 1-800-656-4673. They are there for you, as are so many of us who support and believe in you.
If you need to weep, to rest, to express yourself through art, exercise, whatever it takes, then by all means do so. Then take the feelings that currently plague and malign you and turn them to fuel; then turn the fuel to fire.
We have not yet begun to fight.
