A lot of people ask why sexual assault isn't reported more often. Why do girls keep this traumatic incidents to themselves? What are they so afraid of? But often times these people don't realize- it's their fault. It is the fault of society that sexual assault victims do not report their situations, it is the fault of people close to us, and mutual friends of the victim and the offender.

So often we hear that "girls are over dramatic" and I have heard so many people say they do not believe when girls tell them they have been assaulted because they think they are being over dramatic or lying. Who is going to share their experiences if they are not going to be believed? Another issue is others siding with the offender. Just to give a brief example of this, YouTuber Tana Mongeau shared a story of when she was a few years younger, a famous Viner she had previously adored and looked up to tried to take advantage of that and asked her to send him nudes. When telling this story, she did not use his name and tried not to give away who it was, however people figured it out. Afterwards, she got a lot of hate and lost followers for accusing him of this. Many people she looked up to whom were friends of his blocked her as well. However, she also had many other girls reach out to her and say he had done the same to them, or they have been in similar situations. The problem is, why is she getting hate for something this guy was in the wrong for? Why is she getting hate for opening up about this situation?

I have also seen many times others defending the offender. "He's really a good guy", "You don't want to ruin his life with such a big accusation", "It was only once, he never usually does that", and so many other excuses people come up with to defend this person, not even worrying about the victim and what she has gone through, and her emotional state. It is the fault of society, the fault of the people who say these things, that victims do not report their sexual assault situations. If you are someone who does or says any of these things- STOP. Try to listen to this person who has built up the courage and put their shame and embarrassment aside to open up to you and tell you what has happened to them. Try just believing them and hearing them out. Try being more comforting and supportive towards this victim rather than being concerned for the social life of the offender. We ARE NOT making it up for attention, it's embarrassing.