Ever since the #MeToo movement erupted on social media, countless heartbreaking stories of sexual harassment and assault from prominent public figures have surfaced in the media. The powerful women going public with their trauma are shining an important light on rape culture—but we must continue to think of the women who don’t feel safe coming forward, or aren’t yet ready.
There are still many reasons women who survive sexual assault and abuse stay silent. One of them is the fear of being judged, which is compounded by the pressure of keeping up appearances on social media. Women also still feel very responsible for everyone around them, and they are afraid of how coming forward would affect their loved ones—which the digital landscape further complicates.
Coverage of various #MeToo stories sometimes focuses more on the social buzz around a story than the healing of victims and building justice for survivors. This type of media coverage is harmful—it opens up victims to judgment and speculation and turns serious trauma into a pundit’s talking point.
That’s why I started findSisterhood, an app where anyone that identifies as women can share stories anonymously.
The rules are simple: no bullying and no mean comments. I want to create and cultivate a safe space for women to talk about not only sexual assault, but about anything in their lives that compels them to call out for support and solidarity. The main goal of findSisterhood is to create a strong, empathetic support system for any women that’s available to them 24/7, right in their pocket.
The #MeToo movement is a reminder of how pervasive rape culture really is—and how critical for survivors it can be to remember that they aren’t alone. In a world where social media shapes our social lives, we need to make it possible for women to be authentic and safe. People want to connect. They want to be honest and real. With findSisterhood, women all over the world can tell the truth—without worrying about keeping up appearances.
