You MATTER.
Sexual assault is never okay. Although some survivors may stay silent for years before sharing their stories, the act is in no way shape or form acceptable.
In the past, however, the subject seemed to be overlooked. Many women were subjected to being sexually harassed and assaulted by men who felt as though they were in the right and looking to gain positions of power.
Sadly, years went by with a society that would rather brush things under the rug than face these wrongdoings head-on. Without support, even powerful women fell to the silence that follows a sexual assault.
The world today is changing, but unfortunately, sexual assault is still happening every single day. People are beginning to talk about it more but it is still not reaching a point where there is a solution.
As long as sexual harassment and assault continues to happen and as long as people out there still think it is even slightly okay, then everyone is still in danger of this happening to them.
We need to listen to survivors when they gather the unspeakable amount of courage it takes to speak up and say "me too". We need to fight for the people who can't fight for themselves. Something has to be done to make a change.
Overlooking sexual assault is not okay — trying to make it disappear and knowing about it while not doing anything about it isn't going to change anything. We are humans and all deserve to be treated with respect.
So look to these powerful, inspirational quotes to encourage you to continue the fight against victim shaming, sexual harassment and assault:
"Don't be ashamed of your story it will inspire others" — Anonymous
"Forgetting is difficult. Remembering is worse" — Anonymous
"I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it" — Maya Angelou
"Nevertheless she persisted" — Anonymous
"You're not a victim for sharing your story. You are a survivor setting the world on fire with your truth. And you never know who needs your light, your warmth, and raging courage" — Alex Elle
"You took away my worth, my privacy, my energy, my time, my safety, my intimacy, my confidence, my own voice, until now" — Anonymous
"She was powerful, not because she wasn't scared but because she went on so strongly despite the fear" — Atticus
"Today in science class I learned every cell in our entire body is replaced every seven years. How lovely it is to know one day I will have a body you will never have touched" — L.M.
"I have survived. I am here. Confused, screwed up, but here. So, how can I find my way? Is there a chain saw of the soul, an ax I can take to my memories or fears?" — Speak
"I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become" — Carl Jung
"Truth does not change on our ability to stomach it" — Flannery O'Connor
"I will never understand why it is more shameful to be raped than to be a rapist" — Anonymous
"It's not consent if you make me afraid to say no" — Anonymous
If you’re looking for a little inspiration, we’ve got the best quotes to share and savor. For quotes from the most inspiring celebs, activists, and poets, look no further! You might even find the quote that motivates the best parts of your life (and love!) forever.
Molly Given is a writer and lover of all things to do with mystery and magic in life. When she's not writing her fingers off she can be found planning her next adventure in a new part of the world.
