By Molly Given — Written on Oct 20, 2021
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 quotes to encourage you to continue the fight against victim-shaming, sexual assault and harassment.
1. "Don't be ashamed of your story — it will inspire others." — Anonymous
You are inspiring.
2. “But no matter how much evil I see, I think it’s important for everyone to understand that there is much more light than darkness.” — Robert Uttaro
You deserve peace.
3. "I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it." — Maya Angelou
You have strength.
4. "There is no timestamp on trauma. There isn't a formula that you can insert yourself into to get from horror to healed. Be patient. Take up space. Let your journey be the balm." — Dawn Serra
You are resilient.
5. "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 are a survivor.
6. "You took away my worth, my privacy, my energy, my time, my safety, my intimacy, my confidence, my own voice... until now." — Anonymous
You are powerful.
7. "She was powerful, not because she wasn't scared but because she went on so strongly despite the fear." — Atticus
You look fear right in the eye.
8. "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.
You deserve to feel free.
9. "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?" — Laurie Halse Anderson, "Speak"
You can move forward.
10. "I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become." — Carl Jung
There is life beyond this.
11. "Our job is not to deny the story, but to defy the ending — to rise strong, recognize our story, and rumble with the truth until we get to a place where we think, 'Yes. This is what happened. This is my truth. And I will choose how this story ends.'" — Brené Brown, "Rising Strong"
The truth is the truth.
12. "I will never understand why it is more shameful to be raped than to be a rapist." — Anonymous
You do not deserve to feel any shame.
13. "Something will grow from all you are going through. And it will be you." — Anonymous
You can grow stronger.
If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual harassment, assault and/or abuse, you are not alone. Visit RAINN.org for resources or call 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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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.