Hiya everyone. I know this post is a little bit of a deep one but it has such a huge meaning. As I’m writing this, a lot of stuff has came out about Harvey Weinstein has came out. If you aren’t aware, a lot (and I’m talking a lot) of celebrities have come forward to say that Weinstein has sexually abused them in some way. I’m not going to go into the details because that’s potentially harming or triggering but if you care to know, it’s a quick google search.
The reason why I’ve decided to write about this is because along with seeing all the allegations against him, I’ve seen a lot of people commenting on whether or not the women are being truthful and I just wanna say how unbelievably toxic that is.
I’ve seen a lot of comments along the lines of; “a lot of women lie about being raped or being involved in non-consensual actions” or “Weinstein is a brilliant man, it’s just not plausible that he did any of this”. My response to the first statement is that it is absolutely false. It’s known that only between 2% and 10% of rape accounts are actually false. What about the other 90-98%? ALL TRUE. Saying that a lot of women lie about this sort of stuff only puts the idea into victims heads that they shouldn’t speak up about what happened to them and only reinforces the idea that women are the only people who can be raped or assaulted. My response to the second statement is just because someone is a good person, doesn’t mean they aren’t allowed (using this term loosely) to do bad things. Everyone can do bad things in this world and what Weinstein is being accused of is fucking awful and heartbreaking for the victims.
Another comment I hear frequently when anything of this topic comes into the media is; “if this happened years ago, why didn’t the victim come out sooner?”. This was a comment I heard a lot when the allegations about Jimmy Savile came out. The simple answer is because it can be incredibly dangerous for people to accuse incredibly famous people of things of this nature. The long answer is that victims may have a multitude of reasons and they are none of your business. What is your business is how you react to the allegations. If you act responsibly and believe the victims until anything tells you otherwise, then well done, you’re a good person. If you react like the comments I have previously, then well done, you’re a twat.
I am a strong believer that rapists, sexual abusers or child molesters, should be guilty until proven innocent. It’s as simple as that. And it’s also important to include that even if someone is proven innocent, it doesn’t mean they are. The law system fails a lot of victims who come forward, whether it’s because of lack of evidence or for any other reason. The important thing is to not automatically assume they are lying if charges aren’t pressed because they could possibly not be.
I hope anyone can make sense of this, I truly do. I also hope that all the victims who have came forward get justice, not just for this circumstance, just in general.
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook |Bloglovin|Snapchat : s.ophieharris
thank you so much for sharing this. way too many people go straight to disbelieving the victim & thinking the accused would ‘never do that.’ also none of this is funny, but I definitely LOLed at “then well done, you’re a twat.” so nicely written & so genuine!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s okay! I just don’t understand why people can’t just be believed straight away! And thank you haha, I tried to make at least a little bit light hearted because I don’t like writing sad posts but I also didn’t wanna make light of the topic at all!
LikeLiked by 1 person
kudos to your posts.. an epic slammer for the abusers !!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so important. You are wonderful, thank you for writing on this. (:
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much! I’m glad you think it’s important 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is such an important topic so thank you for writing this post. X
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s completely okay love x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for writing on this topic. I can’t believe it’s 2017 and sexual abuse is still a major issue in today’s society. It’s absolutely bizarre. So important that victims are treated like victims and not blamed for what has happened to them.
https://lavenderhearts.blog
LikeLiked by 2 people
Exactly! Victims should be treated like victims and abusers treated like abusers, end of story x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well said. I never came forward about my assaults because I was ashamed and feared I wouldn’t be believed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you lovely. I hope everything is okay with you. I believe you 100% x
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of the most poisonous mental attitudes with things like this is that no one ever believes the woman involved, they are viewed as just “claiming” to have been assaulted, this post reminded me of something I RT’d on Twitter the other day, it was a thread about Hugh Hefner and how he’d basically been abusive to women his whole life and one guy responded “so…no physical evidence, just talk???” and a girl responded “How about you try believing women” and it blew up. I just found that one line so powerful. It’s great that you’re talking about things like this Soph, I 110% agree. Great post as always .xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think I saw the exact same thread! But exactly, why can’t people just believe the victim regardless of whether there is physical evidence? Sometimes there isn’t any for whatever reason that may be. Thank you lovely! xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Assuming abuse victims are lying is horrorific. These people have endured something severly damaging physically and mentally, treating them like they are liars only causes more harm. Speaking truth right here!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for agreeing! Exactly, it’s so harmful and toxic!
LikeLike
Pingback: Netflix Original – The Keepers
it is so important that victims are believed. I was abused sexually as a child. I always thought it was my fault and nobody would believe me. so yes, believing the victim is very important. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sorry to hear about that! Thank you for sharing xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Supporting Abusive People – sophie harris