Sexual Assault Is No Joke: What Would You Do If a Loved One Was Assaulted? by Laurie Balles Simpson

Hey, you. Yeah, you! I’m betting that you have people you love. The people that you can picture the pain on their face even if you don’t see it in person. Those that have picked you up when you were in pain when you tried to hide it, fight it or forget it. You know that person who you feel heartbroken for and cry and worry for in private, but in person you put on an encouraging, supportive face for because you know that’s what they need. I know there has to be those people in your life that you love and would do anything for.

What in the hell would you do if they came to you and shared that they were sexually assaulted?

Would you still post memes joking about sexual assault to prove your political point? Would you? If it was you daughter or son? Your best friend? Your sister or brother? 

Or, would you pause for a moment and consider: How would he feel if I did that? How does she feel right now under these circumstances? Is she crying in the car because the assault she experienced is now blazing through her mind as she relives the questions and judgement she received from herself and others comes crashing through?

What WOULD you do?