Many voiced their disgust at Donald Trump’s ignorant remarks during his campaign, but one marginalized group often overlooked by journalists is that of sexual assault survivors.

Sexual assaults happen regardless of age, race, sexual identity or socioeconomic class. The Justice Department estimates that 63 percent of assaults go unreported. Further, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men will be raped in their lifetime. In a nation of 322 million people, that is a massive cycle of violence.

For those healing from trauma related to sexual assault, Trump’s behavior can feel like re-victimization. It’s a disservice to survivors to treat his asides as “not as bad as they could be.” To many, the No. 1 issue is whether he respects everyone’s bodily autonomy and understands the social effects of his actions.

His behavior isn’t “quirky.” It’s terrifying. To say otherwise is to have the luxury of viewing the world through a lens of someone who doesn’t live with an abuser or enter a public place and fear for their own safety.

What would it take for the character of a white man of means to be called into question during his presidential campaign? Certainly not objectifying women. That, we as a nation can excuse – it’s unimportant to the daily lives of those who speak the loudest.

This was not a win for the silent majority, but the re-initiation of a culture of entitlement that survivors and their allies must now untangle from their political agency. It is illogical to expect them to place their futures in the hands of a man who exhibits the same behaviors that once made them feel powerless.

Participatory democracy functions best when all present feel comfortable enough to speak. Take care to uphold what it is that our president-elect lacks: respect.

Jessi Colla

Georgetown


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