** This article was originally written by me for and published by the Mailman School of Public Health (MSPH) Spring/ Summer Alumni Newsletter early 2018 and can be found here.  It has been revised for this platform**

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The main character in Spike Lee’s new series on Netflix, She’s Gotta Have It, is Nola Darling.  Nola is a vibrant artist and millennial and the subject of countless annoying calls and whistles from the men vying for her attention as she strolls down the streets of Brooklyn.  In an especially poignant scene during one of the episodes, Nola is sexually assaulted during her late night walk home after refusing several raunchy calls from an angry caller. Feeling torn, abused and violated, Nola reluctantly shares the incident with a handful friends, all of whom advise her to report the incident to the police. Although visibly shaken and disturbed, Nola declines – but she launches a “My Name Isn’t” art campaign, placing her artwork throughout Brooklyn. With this simple yet powerful campaign, Nola anonymously speaks out about the assault, about her perpetrator, about all the times that she endures the “Hey Baby!” and “Hey Mami!” and “You’re looking mighty fine” catcalls casually tossed at her and at so many other women. Spike Lee’s fictional character and her anonymous response to sexual violence represent the countless victims in real life, afraid to speak out loud.  Art imitates life.

Unless, you’ve been hibernating in your own private world, you are probably familiar with the #MeToo movement. You can find the #MeToo hashtag all over the news, social media, covers of national magazines, and on television. The #MeToo movement provides victims of sexual violence with a voice and a platform.

New York City’s Times Square and its iconic New Year’s Eve ball drop event this year acknowledged the City’s commitment to the #MeToo movement.  The special guest for the last night of 2017 was activist and #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, a domestic abuse victim and advocate.  The movement gained momentum after Alyssa Milano shared her story of sexual violence and encouraged other victims to do the same. Time Magazine honored The Silence Breakers who initiated the movement.  At the Golden Globes, too, attendees wore Black in recognition of victims of sexual violence in the entertainment industry, across the country, and throughout the world.

Last year, Time Magazine honored “The Silence Breakers.” These women, including but not limited to Tarana Burke, are responsible for creating and initiating the movement.  Burke’s initial idea was that women would stand together in solidarity sharing their stories about sexual violence. MeToo breaks the silence, dispels the myth that victims are alone, that sexual violence reaches only a few. Violence occurs casually on the job, on the street, at the local mall, during auditions and callbacks, college dorm rooms, in the studios of national television networks, all places where individuals should feel safe.

According to the World Health Organization, 1 in every 3 women is a victim. Suffering in silence is a breeding ground for high rates of suicide, depression and anxiety, not to mention decades of shame and feelings of worthlessness. The Centers for Disease Control reveals that sexual violence leads to physical consequences: one example for women is unwanted pregnancies. Immediate psychological effects include fear, anxiety, shame and guilt.  Chronic consequences include depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and even harmful health behaviors including high risk sexual behaviors and substance abuse. #MeToo is a win for all women.  Although our primary search is for a method to end the cycle of sexual violence and to extend help for victims, we also want to extend an offer to the perpetrator. When silence is broken, healing can begin for all.

Oprah Winfrey, a victim of sexual violence, ended her acceptance speech for the Cecil B. DeMille Award with the reminder to everyone listening that “Speaking your truth is the most powerful tool we all have.” And even, as I write this piece, I think of my personal truth and back on a time when I was placed in a compromising situation at my former place of employment many years ago. There was no #MeToo movement or social media platform for tweets, posts or snaps. Fortunately, I was able to report my perpetrator to management — a decision and act which left me feeling empowered yet lonely and isolated.  In speaking my truth, I also think back on my former legal clients, victims of sexual harassment and domestic abuse who sought justice from the legal system. Forever ingrained in my mind are their faces of shame and embarrassment while sharing their stories. Of course, #MeToo is not a cure all for sexual violence, but it is certainly a great place to start.

~ Grateful

For additional “My America” pieces, click here and here.