2021 Recipient: #WhyIDidntReport
#WhyIDidntReport is a GOTU 2021 Crucial Point Award Recipient because it’s helping to void the false narratives about survivors who don’t report sexual predators and surface the valid reasons why reporting doesn’t always happen.
#WhyIDidntReport is an anonymous community where people who were victimized via sexual crimes can detail why they didn’t make a public or police claim again the person(s) who victimized them. It’s a powerful stand alone movement that is run by an anonymous resource who is committed to keeping survivors at the forefront. To date, hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world have been able to divulge their victimization and the reasons that prevented them from having the perpetrator(s) held accountable. #WhyIDidntReport allows for three things:
sexual assault survivors who didn’t report to have a voice and visibility;
the understanding that not reporting a sexual predator doesn’t mean that a victimized person directly or indirectly gave consent; and,
people who aren’t in the survivorship community to understand that reporting a sexual predator can be a dangerous, complex task.
“The impact of this grassroots movement is undeniable...”
Originated in 2014, the movement was started by a person who suffered sexual violation and didn’t report the crime. This person went on to create an outlet for people who made the same tough decision [to not report] to easily share their “why”. Since its start, the movement has helped thousands of people share the stories of why they didn’t report. The impact of this grassroots movement is undeniable, so much so that it’s amassed a community of approx. 156K people around the world.
Sexual assault survivors interested in participating in the movement can access the #WhyIDidntReport template via: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JjxRlqkQawVLaQUsLViGJzSKl0Sjp2r4/view, fill it out, and submit it per the instructions on the template. Participants can reveal their identity or be anonymous if they choose.
Follow #WhyIDidntReport on social media and support brave sexual assault and abuse survivors who didn’t report: