The past several months have exposed sexual assaults by a large number of well-known people. The New York Times published a list of over 50 men accused of sexual misconduct since October 2017. The list began with Harvey Weinstein, a famous Hollywood producer, who was accused by multiple women of sexual assault. The list also includes Matt Lauer of the “Today” show, U.S. senator for Minnesota Al Franken, comedian Louis C.K., actor Kevin Spacey, former professional football player and analyst Marshall Faulk, all accused of sexual harassment and assault.
These are all men that used their positions of power to sexually abuse women, but we cannot forget the countless women who have been assaulted by people they knew and trusted. The former USA Gymnastics team and Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar will be sentenced this week on seven accounts of sexual assault, and he has been accused by over 100 women. Larry Nassar was a family friend, a neighbor, a doctor. In short, he was a trusted individual who used that trust to take advantage of his victims. He represents someone that many victims recognize because, according to the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, 7 out of 10 rapes are committed by someone known to the victim. But Nassar’s time of sexually abusing women and girls is over. Among the dozens of women who spoke during Nassar’s sentencing, Kyle Stephens directly addressed him with the words, “Little girls don’t stay little forever. They grow into strong women that return to destroy your world.”
Accusations against these men and all other sexual predators have not only exposed them, but they have inspired a change in the form of movements including #MeToo and Time’s Up, with goals of showing the number of women who have been victims of sexual harassment and assault, and looking towards a shift in how society views and treats women.
Anyone who hoped to silence victims of sexual assault will be faced with strong, fearless men and women who are ready for a change. To men who have used positions of power and/or trust to take advantage of victims, your end has been long overdue. The time where victims will be heard and, as Oprah stated, where no one will ever have to say “me too” again, is only just beginning.
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