AOC Told Her Sexual Assault Story. Then the Backlash Happened.

Article originally appeared on Rewire on February 3rd, 2021

“People have always used public storytelling as a way to be vulnerable about horrific or challenging experiences they’ve had, particularly those created by unjust systems, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, and more,” said Renee Bracey Sherman, executive director of We Testify, an organization supporting the leadership and representation of people who have abortions.

“Those in power know how difficult it can be to share those truths, so when people do speak out, they attack those people viciously to discourage other people from feeling the courage to speak up. This happens to sexual assault survivors, abuse survivors, those who encounter racism, and abortion storytellers. The abusers dismiss us outright and label us as ‘liars’ or that we’re exaggerating so that they can dismiss our claims and continue to move forward without creating any change or being held accountable,” Bracey Sherman said.