Believe all victims…except these ones?

Social media is known to bring people of all different ages, genders, and experiences together. Able to share personal experiences and funny stories, social media platforms like Tik Tok have brought many holding shared interests. With so much good happening, it can be hard to imagine the dark side of these apps- how fame and fortune can affect these often very young stars. As society becomes more vocal about speaking out on sexual assault, hurtful comments arise discrediting brave victims who have stepped forward. Women have to face many comments when it comes to victim-blaming, saying a person’s clothes can be an invitation and that they are asking for it- but what happens when a male steps forward?

 Jack Wright, a Tik Tok celebrity, has stepped forward to talk about his negative experiences with co-creator Sienna Mae. Bringing up sexual assault, verbal and physical abuse, as well everything in between, the public became aware of what happens behind the scenes of these short videos posted. Giving evidence and witnesses, Wright spoke about Sienna Mae’s actions, highlighting how more often than not, she would break into his house and pick the lock to his bathroom or bedroom in the hopes of sexual advances. Videos have started to surface on the discomfort between the two, Jack being seen constantly having to distance himself or pry Sienna Mae’s hands off his chest, back, arms, or thighs. 

The most upsetting part of this all has to be the reaction from Sienna Mae’s army of fans. Most unfollowed the female on all platforms, believing the victim, while a minority did the unthinkable. Blasting Jack Wright with hate, super fans discredited the celebrities’ experience off the basis that he is a man. This comes as a shock to no one as even fewer sexual assaults with a male victim are reported- statistics believing that 1 in 33 men have experienced attempted or completed rape. Yesenia Alvarez, a teacher at Waukee High School was asked what the impact of minimizing male sexual assault can be, “If this continues men will not feel comfortable to come forward with their experience with sexual assault as they feel they will not be believed. If this continues I believe mental health will continue to deteriorate as no one in domestic abuse, sexual assault, etc. will not be able to step forward.”

In a society that continues to preach believing victims it can be hard to stomach the truth–believe all victims if they are not men. This toxic belief system that one gender is immune to sexual crimes based on perceived strength does nothing but push victims further into a cocoon of denial. Mara Schnoes, a junior at Waukee High School spoke on the stigma regarding sexual assault,” If you looked at the evidence then changed your opinion based off of the gender of the victim or the assailant- what’s wrong with you? Why would you do that?”

At the end of the day, claims backing up Jack Wrights’s reality continue to come forward, breaking the stigma that only females are victims of sexual assault. Hopefully, this public figures experience can be a learning point on how abuse and sexual trauma come in all sizes, ages, and genders.