On Friday, Lady Gaga released her first single of 2015, and an extremely powerful music video along with it. The music video, made in collaboration with composer Diane Warren and writer/director Catherine Hardwicke, is a graphic portrayal of the reality and prevalence of sexual assault in America today. Titled “Til It Happens To You,” the single was pointedly released on the one year anniversary of President Obama’s “It’s On Us” campaign to end sexual assault on college campuses across the nation. Because it also serves as a PSA for sexual assault awareness, proceeds from the single will be donated to organizations supporting survivors of sexual assault and rape.
"I hope that this PSA, with its raw and truthful portrayals, will send a clear message that we need to support these courageous survivors and end this epidemic plaguing our college campuses," said Hardwicke about her part in the production. The video features raw and truthful portrayals indeed, following four college-aged people of different races and sexual orientations as they are sexually assaulted. It documents the before, during, and after effects of rape, as well as how they cope with the attack and speak out. The ending reveals the survivors confiding in friends, who stand by their side in confidence. Although hard to watch, the music video is a powerful commentary about the prevalence of sexual assault, the stigma that comes along with it, and the comfort that comes from friends who avoid that stigma in their reaction.
Gaga is no stranger to the topic of sexual assault. She has cited her own experience as an inspiration for her music, including the recent hit, as well as her 2013 song “Swine.” Last year, in an interview with Howard Stern, Gaga admitted to being raped by a man twice her age when she was just 19, and spoke to the rage and demoralization following her painful experience.
The fact that Gaga is coming forward 10 years after her attack is a testament to the victim-blaming and victim-silencing culture in society today. According to RAINN, one out of every six women is the victim of rape or attempted rape in America, and one out of four college women will be the victim of sexual assault during her academic career. Yet only a fraction of these instances are reported to police, and an even smaller number of assaulters will ever spend a day in prison. Rape culture is thriving while victims are suffering, receiving blame, and being silenced by those they trust.
But conversation is on the rise. Criticisms of collegiate authorities, mass media influence, and victim-silencing is progressing as more and more activists and celebrities alike speak out about their experiences. Without this conversation, there will be no change. And without change, you, your friend, your daughter, and your mother will still be at high risk of sexual assault. Speak out. Start the conversation. Take a pledge to never blame a victim. Put an end to sexual assault today.
To find more information on what you can do to be the solution, please visit www.itsonus.org
Click here to see Lady Gaga's music video, "Til It Happens To You."
