In a recent episode of her show, Ellen DeGeneres spoke about the struggles of sexual assault survivors with her guest, actress Busy Phillips, who revealed in an Instagram post that she was raped at age 14.
She added: “And I feel like it’s, politically whatever you believe, I feel like it’s a real moment of reckoning for women that we have, sort of collectively, carried this burden for so long and it’s time to share it and let it out. It was hard. And really scary.”
In turn, Ellen revealed that she had a similar experience. “I was 15 and I had something happen to me. When I watched Dr. Ford, anyone who’s had something happen to them, you just get so angry when someone doesn’t believe you or says, ‘Why did you wait so long?’ It’s because we’re girls and we’re taught not to say anything and go along with it.”
Busy and Ellen are just some of the stars who finally found their voice as sexual assault survivors to remind us just how real and upsetting this longstanding social issue is, and it needs to be addressed now.
[Refinery29]
Photo courtesy of Portia De Rossi’s Instagram account
For the latest in culture, fashion, beauty, and celebrities, subscribe to our weekly newsletter here
Follow Preen on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Viber
Related stories:
Yes, sexual assault happens even when victims choose not to report it
What’s a wife to do when her husband is accused of sexual assault?
Dakota Johnson gave out her digits so sexual assault victims can share their story
There’s now a lipstick inspired by Brett Kavanaugh’s hotheadedness