Sexual assault is bad enough. For the tragic incident to be videotaped, and for that video to then go viral on the internet, though? That’s like being raped all over again, says 16-year-old Jada.
The Houston teenager knows firsthand, too. But Jada’s fighting back through the same social media avenues that were adding to the assault. And this time, she’s winning.
On June 1, 2014, Jada (who’s only allowed use of her first name) attended a party with friends. The teenaged male host of the party offered her punch, which Jada learned was spiked, possibly with a date-rape drug, only after the fact. She woke up the next day with no recollection of the night.
But Jada was raped by the party host, who videotaped the abuse and shared it online, along with pictures of her half-nude body lying on the floor unconscious and in an odd position. She only learned for sure of her victimization three weeks later when friends told Jada they saw her exploitation on the Internet.
Adding insult to this most vile of injuries, the pictures went viral, and not in her defense but only mocking her. Using the hashtag #Jadapose, others posted photos themselves in that odd position ? a twisted leg, one arm across her torso and the other caught under her back. So not only was Jada raped, and not only was her rape broadcast online for millions to see, but she was being assaulted all over again by many who seemed to only praise the rapist.
That’s when Jada knew she had to fight back. First, she one-upped the game by going to bigger media, consenting to full-face interview with a local television station (see that video below). Since the damage was done, hiding her identity was pointless to her goal of reclaiming it, she told KHOU.
?There’s no point in hiding. ? Everyone’s already seen my face and my body, but that’s not what I am and who I am.?
The interview helped her get local support in her hometown of Houston, and initiated police response, too. National media also picked up her story,?giving her more opportunity for self-defense. Jada told MSNBC’s Ronan Farrow:
?The people who are mocking me ? what you have to say isn’t important at all, and what you have to say isn’t going to do anything.?
Next, Jada took on those who disrespected her through the same social media avenues. To reestablish her human identity, she Tweeted a photo of herself holding a sign with the hashtag #IAmJada. Many retweeted her photo, and began duplicating it, too, stating their support for the young lady. Many stood on her side with other images and supporting?hashtags, such as #Justice4Jada, #StandWithJada and even #JadaCounterpose.
Laci Green ? a popular YouTuber, peer sex educator, and crisis counselor ? created a Jada meme that’s gone viral on Facebook, too.
Where Jada still lacks?support, though ? and probably of the most important category, in this case ? is from Houston police, who have yet to make arrest. Despite what seems to be damning evidence, including the assaulter’s public promotion of his crime, the Houston Police Department says the case is still under investigation.
And that’s where you come in. Do you support Jada? Do you want to help her regain the respect that was the tarnished in her multiple victimization? Then get started with sharing the word on Twitter and Facebook, using the appropriate hashtags and images, and even link to this Liberal America page.
And be sure to let Liberal America know on its Facebook page how you’re helping!
