As a young woman myself, I sometimes feel as if women and girls can often, perhaps without even meaning to, drain each other’s confidence and push against each other rather than acting in unison. It is also very easy to feel gloomy when reading the news, as it often reminds us, particularly in recent times, that we are not as far advanced in terms of equality as we might have thought and hoped.
This is precisely the reason I decided to write this column, with my hope that everyone who reads it, both men and women, comes away feeling lifted, optimistic and of course inspired by the amazing women who exist today and have existed before us.
So… onto the first of these courageous women, a woman of the moment.
This week, I would like to focus on Dr Christine Blasey Ford, one of three women who have come forward accusing Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh, Trump’s Supreme Court nominee, of sexual assault. Blasey Ford is a clinical psychology professor in California and has published numerous works in academic journals.
Blasey Ford has recently become a figurehead for the ongoing #MeToo era after her testimony against Kavanaugh on the 27th September. I am not here to detail her alleged assault, nor am I here to pass judgement on the result of the testimony and its effects on the White House or Kavanaugh. Rather, I would prefer to focus on Blasey Ford herself and her courageous act of coming forward.
As someone who has personally witnessed the harmful impact of sexual harassment and it not being taken seriously, I applaud Blasey Ford for her honesty, integrity and bravery. She described her testimony as her “civic duty” to protect America from a nominee whose actions were damaging to her. She stated that it has been a very difficult decision for her to come forward, knowing the abuse and scepticism that would follow from accusing such a powerful man in the public eye. The abuse she was agonising over, has since become a reality, not only stretching to herself, but also to her family. Yet, she still came forward.
Astoundingly, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s research indicates that one in five women report they have been raped. At universities in America this figure is even more horrifying: one in four. One in three women have reported sexual assault. These figures are all too common in the era of #MeToo, and can leave us feeling dismayed with the state of women’s rights not only in America, but also in the UK. The figure for sexual assault of women older than sixteen stands at one in five and a BBC study has recently indicated that half of women and 20% of men have been sexually harassed at work or a place of study. These figures are utterly shocking and terrifying at the same time, showing us how much further forward we need to be.
I was astounded to see Sidney Powell (a former federal prosecutor) declare on FOX News: “She was far from being raped… It was all a fumbled attempt to make out with a girl at a party.” Trump has, despite the allegations, continued to support Kavanaugh, writing on Twitter: “Judge Kavanaugh showed America exactly why I nominated him.” I believe these reactions reveal so much more about the exceptionally difficult environment that exists for survivors of assault and harassment, which in turn only promotes the secrecy of these awful events and the victim’s trauma.
Yet, we can also find strength in the community of supporters that has arisen as a result of the testimony. Hundreds of Blasey Ford’s High School peers have also signed a letter stating that they stand with her. Additionally, a full-page advertisement in the New York Times features 1,600 signatures of men who support Blasey Ford, powerfully harking back to the uncomfortably similar situation in 1991 when Anita Hill spoke out against Clarence Thomas (President Bush’s nomination for Supreme Court), claiming he sexually harassed her. Hill was subsequently subjected to scepticism over the relevance of her statement to American politics. Thomas’ place as Associate Justice of Supreme Court was voted and confirmed by the Senate after Hill’s accusation.
Therefore, what we can learn from Blasey Ford is that from these horrifying and traumatic experiences, can emerge leaders. Blasey Ford showed grace and determination during her testimony and has proved to the world that survivors will continue to come forward, despite the odds stacked against them. Her powerful example will resonate with survivors of sexual assault and harassment, both men and women, and those who will face such an awful and life-changing experience in the future.
Blasey Ford’s testimony, and the many other survivors of sexual assault and harassment who have created the #MeToo movement, can build leaders not only in the public eye, but also amongst our peers. Creating an environment in which these issues are discussed openly will reduce cases of sexual assault and harassment which would otherwise continue to exist in silence and perpetuate destructive power against their victims.
From Blasey Ford’s example we can all learn that once a movement is started and the foundations are laid, it can become incredibly powerful and change society’s norms. Blasey Ford has become a figurehead of the #MeToo era who encourages others to believe that while it’s OK to feel broken by an experience, it is how you deal with it and rise up after the experience which proves that you are not.
Based on your testimony Christine, I believe you.