Terry Crews' statement about sexual assault is a powerful look at the questions we ask of victims



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Long time one of the most vocal male allies of the #MeToo movement, Terry Crews again defended his allegations of aggression on Twitter on Friday, by attacking this traditional issues, often called into question by victims. victims of sexual assault and harassment. His tweet was short and simple, and yet, it is clear from the tone of the actor that he is increasingly frustrated by the atmosphere of disbelief that still surrounds his claims. In the June 29 article, Brooklyn's star Nine-Nine speaks with the voices of her critics and himself in a sort of call-answer blaming the victims.

The message, tweeted to its almost one million followers, asks and responds by rhetoric to seven of the biggest critics of Crews' behavior that came to him in the spirit since he was made public its own allegations in October 2017. "Why did not you say something? or "Why did not you file a complaint?" are just some of the questions presented in Crews' tweet. And the former pro-athlete offers an answer to every question, until he reaches the last question: "Why did not you beat him?" When it comes to this issue, all that Crews can do is sigh, an answer that could be related to his awareness that these issues might never stop. After months on the defensive, there does not seem to be an answer that Crews can give that will satisfy his detractors.

In October 2017, the 49-year-old man went public with allegations of unwanted trial and error in a series of 16 tweets. Crews have detailed allegations against a "high-level Hollywood executive" anonymous that the actor alleges groping his genitals at a party. Later, the former football player added a name to his allegations: Adam Venit, director of William Morris Endeavor. (In response to a lawsuit brought against him by Crews, Us Weekly reports that Venit claimed that he could not be held responsible because he did not hurt Crews , and alleged that his conduct was not sexual., Variety reports that prosecutors chose not to charge Venit with a crime, as they determined that the statute of limitations had elapsed for a offense.)

His recent message on the subject echoes the sentiments he expressed at a Senate hearing on assault and harassment, where he spoke about promoting the Survivors' Charter of Rights for Survivors. Sexual assault. At the hearing, California Senator Dianne Feinstein asked Crews to say why he did not physically defend himself during his alleged assault. The answer, she said, was important for the record.

"Senator, as a black man in America …" he began before stopping with a sigh. "Say it as it is, I think it's important," insisted Feinstein, and Crews continued: "

" You only have a few chances to succeed, you have not that some chances of becoming a viable member of the community.I am from Flint, Michigan, I saw many blacks who were provoked by the violence and they were imprisoned, or they were killed, and they are not there. "

Because of this experience and historical treatment Crews said that he had spent years getting ready for a moment like this:

" My wife was preparing me for years and told me, "If you ever get excited, if you ever get prompted, if anyone ever tries to push you in any situation, do not do it, do not be violent. And she trained me, I'll be honest with you, it's the strength of my wife who trained me and said, "If this situation happens, let's get away." Because I did not get into my first reaction, I took her hand, we left. "

As Black in America, Crews is aware that if he had used violence against his alleged attacker he would have been the one in trouble with the law." Feinstein then shared a video of his response on Twitter , noting that it was an illustration of "how victims are too often forced to remain silent to avoid damaging their career or reputation."

Crews' response and subsequent tweet signifies a simple truth: we will always ask the victim or survivor why she did not do more to repel an attack, even if she did everything she could within the bounds of reason. Crews can help stop this constant harassment of victims, you can bet that he will try

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the national hotline d & # 39; agressio n sex at 800-656. -HOPE (4673) or visit online.rainn.org .

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