Everyone is talking about the most recent article of New York Magazine, which features 35 of the 46 women who have come forward to say they were assaulted by Bill Cosby. Seeing the photos of these women, who range in age from early twenties to mid-80s, and reading their testimonies, is heartbreaking and necessary. It hurts to see their faces and to learn about how each of them has dealt with the tragic experience.
RELATED: 35 of Bill Cosby’s Accusers Band Together on the Cover of New York Magazine
Listen to Joyce Emmons tell her story about Bill Cosby: https://t.co/J8JDn95DcR pic.twitter.com/7ufx0IXBuX
— The Cut (@TheCut) July 27, 2015
And then there is the empty chair—a symbol we absolutely cannot ignore because it represents the women who didn’t feel comfortable speaking with New York. But it also stands for much more than that: for all women who have been victims of sexual assault (and women who will be in the future), yet who choose not to come forward and report the crime.
#TheEmptyChair signals the women who couldn’t come forward mostly b/c we, as a culture, wouldn’t believe them. https://t.co/fiG8qii2iO
— Janet Mock (@janetmock) July 27, 2015
RELATED: The Need-to-Know on… Sexual Assault on Campus
#Cosby is a visible repugnant example of #RapeCulture, but #TheEmptyChair can be filled by hundreds of thousands pic.twitter.com/z7BzqZtmhm
— Soraya Chemaly (@schemaly) July 27, 2015
According to RAINN and the U.S. Department of Justice, every 107 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted—and 68 percent of those assaults are never reported to the police. Just to do some quick math, that’s almost 550 people a day who are sexually assaulted and stay silent. These are people we know and love, members of our communities, and strangers we have yet to meet.
RELATED: The Shocking Rape Statistic That You Need to Read
Here are some of the most powerful #TheEmptyChair tweets we’ve seen so far.
#TheEmptyChair don’t be ashamed if you’re not ready (or might never be ready) to speak up. Take care of yourself. Do what’s best for you.
— Fury the afro-nymph (@5ftanomaly) July 27, 2015
THIS, all day everyday. Teach consent, teach self-sovereignty. Let’s keep the next generation out of #TheEmptyChair. https://t.co/mFxDcbLEbt
— Sabrina Stevens (@TeacherSabrina) July 27, 2015
Just found this comment on an #TheEmptyChair piece. Imagine how much better the world would be if everyone did this pic.twitter.com/GqHTeTR4oo
— Heather Parker (@heatherr_parker) July 27, 2015
I am not damaged goods. I am damaged, but I am still good. You are still good. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. #TheEmptyChair
— Ella Cerón (@ellaceron) July 27, 2015
To anyone in #TheEmptyChair – you are more than what happened to you. You are loved. You are believed. You are heard.
— Kate Stickel (@KateStickel) July 27, 2015
Sexual assault is not a “women’s issue,†it’s a societal issue. #TheEmptyChair
— Dominic Mitchell (@dominiclm_) July 27, 2015
If we are standing with the women who have started to speak out about Bill Cosby, every day we must stand with these 550 other people, too. They need to know they will be believed.
If you or someone you know wants to talk about or report a sexual assault, you can reach out to RAINN at 1-800-656-HOPE.