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News: Footage of a girl's alleged rape has gone viral. But now, so have messages of support.

 

Warning: This post includes details of sexual assault, and may be distressing for some readers.

It’s a story that will make any woman’s stomach churn.

A teenaged girl alleges she was drugged and assaulted at a party, and that photos and videos of her unconscious body sprawled on the floor then shockingly went viral.

16-year-old Jada, from Houston, Texas, told KHOU-11 she went to a party at a classmate’s house and passed out after drinking some punch.

She later found out through pictures shared on social media that she had been sexually assaulted, she said.

As if that wasn’t horrific enough, some twitter users began mimicking Jada’s position in those images, tweeting tasteless images of themselves sprawled on the ground alongside the hashtag #jadapose.

One of the pictures tweeted alongside the hashtag #jadapose.

Jada’s alleged rapist also tweeted a serious of expletive-ridden comments defending himself, with one reading: “That hoe forced, snitched, and still look like a fiend from deadend.”

That comment received at least 73 retweets.

But this week, Jada’s story soon took an unexpected turn for the better.

Despite the use of the horrifying #jadapose hashtag going viral, Jada made the brave decision to show her face in an interview with KHOU-11 in Houston.

In the interview, Jada spoke out about the alleged abuse –saying she’s angry and hoping an arrest will be made soon.

“There’s no point in hiding,” Jada added in the interview. “Everybody has already seen my face and my body, but that’s not what I am and who I am.”

Following the televised interview, scores of people took to social media to express their support for the teenager.

Lee McGavin wrote: “Why are people victim blaming?! ‘Why was Jada at a party?’ The question should be “Why did some idiots spike and rape her?!’ #jadapose”

A meme being shared by some twitter users.

Kristian Rainge added: ” #Jadapose is a disgusting display of misogyny, miseducation and complete disregard for this young woman’s humanity. Come on, y’all. Wtf?!”

When one supporter made a meme that read: “I stand with Jada. Do you?,” a number of twitter users passed it on.

Others tweeted that they had unfollowed or reported those posting the mocking photos and even started ‘counter-hashtags,’ with Kia Hutch tweeting: ‘Standing in solidarity #JusticeforJada #jadacounterpose #jadapose.”

By this afternoon,the #jadapose hashtag was filled not with mockery but with messages of hope and support- and the #JadaCounterPose and #JusticeforJada hashtags were going viral.

Meanwhile, Jada’s alleged rapist appears to have deleted his twitter account. Police are investigating Jada’s allegations.

Watch Jada’s interview here:

Please note if this post or any of the comments bring up any issues for you, or if you need to speak to someone please call 1800-RESPECT or the NSW Rape Crisis Centre on 1800 424 017.  It does not matter where about you live in Australia, they will take your call and, if need be, refer you to a service closer to home.