#IamJada: Victim Fights Back

Imagine going to a party, and then days later, unconscious and bottomless pictures of yourself splayed out on the floor began surfacing on line. That’s exactly what happened to Jada, a teenager from Houston. Asides from dealing with the notions of a possible intimate violation, Jada has also had to deal with social media bullies who have attempted to  mock and shame her by mimicking these horrifying images.

We live in a strange world were victims are shamed instead of protected. Jada believes her drink was spiked and has no recollection of the events which led to the taking of these pictures. Her alleged rapist has also joined the social media bullies, calling Jada a ‘hoe’ and a ‘snitch’. Her assailants were so bold, they published video footage of their despicable acts on line.  

But Jada is fighting back. Jada has devised a new hashtag and a new pose, one that she says better captures who and what she is: strong. In a show of solidarity, other have joined jada – raising their fists and holding signs, as she did in a picture with the hashtag #IAmJada.

The #IamJada campaign represents much more than Jada speaking back. It is a representation of the resilience of victims and the need for us all to support them, instead of subjecting them to ridicule. It tells the world that rape isn’t funny and that we MUST protect victims and prosecute offenders. 

Jada isn’t just a teenage in Houston, she is me, you, our mothers, sisters, cousins, children and any female you have ever met. Standing with her means we are standing for ourselves. Together, we are saying, rape is NOT a joke, we are saying women and victims of sexual violence, whatever their gender, deserved to be protected and that we are prepared to make sure that happens.