#DearProfessorFord

Today, Dr. Christine Blasey Ford will testify against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanuagh. Dr. Ford accused Kavanuagh of sexually assaulting her in high school. The accusation and hearing has started a social media movement supporting Dr. Ford and other survivors of sexual assault under the hashtags, #DearProfessorFord, #WhyIDidntReport, and #KavanuaghHearings. In the time of the #MeToo movement, more and more young people are learning about sexual misconduct and where resources are available if they have experienced sexual assault or rape.


An article in the Washington Post discusses how this social media movement in support of Dr. Ford has made many women release their own experiences with sexual assault and re-examine how they tell stories. In our society, we have strong stigmas against sexual assault and rape and this makes it extremely difficult for women to express stories about their experiences.


In other article by the Washington Post, the importance of this hearing is discussed and how it is playing an important role in the education of sexual misconduct. Teens are being exposed to educational programs in schools about sexual assault prevention and the role of a bystander, but seeing it in the news is bringing more attention to the issue and emphasizing that this needs to be a top priority in schools. It isn't enough for sexual assault to be one class period in health class, schools need to make more of an effort to educate students on this topic and begin breaking this cycle of violence against women.