Recently, many women have come forward against politicians, celebrities, corporate officials, and others with allegations of sexual assault. What I see in these repetitive headlines is liberation. Freedom for those who have been suffering in silence. A time when women are finally able to come forward with the truth about the men who have harmed them in both body and mind.

Salma Hayek wrote a powerful piece for The New York Times on Harvey Weinstein’s past sexual harassment, in which she captured this age of expressive freedom, writing,

“I am grateful for everyone who is listening to our experiences. I hope that adding my voice to the chorus of those who are finally speaking out will shed light on why it is so difficult, and why so many of us have waited so long. Men sexually harassed because they could. Women are talking today because, in this new era, we finally can.”

The #MeToo movement has opened a platform for both women and men to share their stories about sexual violence, or to simply share the fact that they are a survivor. And the millions upon millions of responses in this movement, across media, genders, and the globe, illuminate just how terrifying prevalent sexual harassment and assault are in our world.

Finally, opening up about sexual abuse, in any form, has become more acceptable. Yet there remains backlash— some continue to victim blame and rapidly question the survivor’s motives when allegations are put forth, instead of displaying legitimate concern for human beings that have been put through unthinkable dehumanization and trauma.

Harvey Weinstein, top-of-Hollywood film producer, had been accused of “inappropriate to criminal behavior ranging from requests for massages to intimidating sexual advances to rape” by 84 women in October, and the number is still rising. Eighty. Four. This goes to show the extent to which power protects despicable behavior. Yet this barrier is breaking, and survivors are speaking out.

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, had at least 15 allegations of sexual assault against him during his election campaign, and three of these women have come forward this month with re-assertions of their allegations and calls for Congress to actually investigate the numerous allegations against the President. Let’s never forget that President Trump himself bragged about being able to do anything he wanted to women because of his stardom.

Roy Moore, Republican politician and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama, was accused of preying on teenage girls, yet lost the Senate election to Democrat Doug Jones by less than 2%. A man accused of being a sexual predator almost won a seat in the U.S. Senate. Many Alabamians were more concerned with the political party of their Senator than his status as an accused sexual predator. One native 21-year-old, Katie Kirk, wrote for The New York Times on her shock at the political piety of her Alabama:

“It’s pretty crazy to be a 21-year-old woman and native Alabamian right now. Almost every woman I know has been sexually harassed or has a friend who has been assaulted. That’s not something that is unique to me or my friends. Clearly, it is everywhere. But I have always lived in communities where faith came before politics, and now I can’t believe my eyes. I’m shocked to see classmates and family members continue their support for Mr. Moore because he checks the red political box.”

It is also shocking to me that people in this nation are so apathetic towards the reality of sexual assault. 1 in 6 women in America are victims of attempted or completed rape, and 3% of American men will be raped— 1 in 10 victims of rape are male. 1 in 5 women and 1 in 16 men are sexually assaulted in college. More than 90% of sexual assault victims on college campuses do not report it. The statistics go on.

Sexual assault is not acceptable. Allegations of sexual assault should not be met with instant scoffs and an immediate lack of compassion.

There are people that lie about sexual assault. And this is terrible, because it makes certain others wary of allegations. Lying cannot be condoned. But the percentage of sexual assault allegations that are false is very low— about 2 to 10%. The vast majority of allegations are very real. The suffering is very real.

Every allegation of sexual assault should be taken seriously.

Sexual assault is serious. It is never, ever going to become a "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" situation, because every survivor deserves to be heard. It does not matter how many times you hear the same words, or read the same headline. The repetition of the situation does not change its gravity— in fact, I would say the prevalence of allegations points to the insidious pervasiveness of sexual misconduct in our world.

I will repeat myself: every allegation of sexual assault should be taken seriously. Why is that so difficult to understand?

To be sexually violated is a traumatizing, life-changing violation. I do not have to be a survivor to know this. As just about every woman in the United States can tell you, she or someone she knows is a survivor of sexual harassment or assault. Essentially every woman has been sexually harassed in the form of catcalling or other unwanted displays of attention or affection, myself included.

I have shed countless tears for the close friends in my life who have been sexually harassed and assaulted. Now I am in college, and everywhere I look, hearts are in pain. I have shed countless tears for my beloved humanity. Countless tears for the state of this world.

Empathy. It's about empathy. We must feel for each other. When a woman speaks up about sexual assault, her intentions should not be speedily responded to with skepticism. And of course, the accused is legally innocent until proven guilty, but this does not mean they should be elected to the Presidency.

When are we going to start listening to each other?

If you believe in love, show it. Love your neighbor. Actually love them. Your love should translate to your politics, to both your private and your public persona.

Listen.