One of the most frustrating questions women have to deal with when discussing sexual assault is being asked why we don’t report it.
And now, whether he meant to or not, US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has just provided a perfect explanation to that often asked and seriously misguided question.
Having spent the week plagued by more sexual harassment and assault claims, the 69-year-old addressed a crowd of faithful fans on Friday and attempted to humiliate the women who have spoken out against him.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaking to followers in Florida. Source: Getty.
The father of five attacked the credibility, version of events, looks and motives of the women, and he was met with cheers from the crowd.
Shortly after the speech, Vox producer Elizabeth Plank tweeted, "We've had a masterclass today in why women are scared to report sexual assault. Why didn't you report yours? #WhyWomenDontReport"
Donald Trump with Miss Universe winners. Source: Getty.
Plank then continued, "When I was sexually harassed, I didn't report because he was the head of the department and I didn't want to lose my job."
Within hours, thousands of tweets using the #WhyWomenDontReport hashtag had been shared.
"Because coming forward causes us more harassment and gaslighting; MORE trauma. WE are put on trial," one woman wrote.
"Because a man can be accused of and even admit to sexual assault and still feasibly become The President," another posted.
"When I reported mine in college, I was greeted with a shrug," another shared.
One woman simply tweeted, "Brock Turner."
"Because we face a justice system that doesn’t protect us and a culture that doesn't believe us," one woman added.
"Because I was 18 and I needed the summer job and he was the restaurant's manager," another wrote.
Also joining the conversation was actress and activist Rose McGowan, who shared three tweets using the hashtag.
"A (female) criminal attorney said because I'd done a sex scene in a film I would never win against the studio head," McGowan began, later tweeting, "because it's been an open secret in Hollywood/Media & they shamed me while adulating my rapist."
Finally, she wrote, "Because my ex sold our movie to my rapist for distribution."
Donald Trump during the debate on Monday. Source: Getty.
The brave admissions on Twitter come following Trump's worst week in the election campaign to date after footage from 2005 was aired of him saying being a celebrity allowed him to "grab" women "by the p*ssy."
When asked about the comments during the debate on Monday, Trump dismissed his comments as "locker room talk" and "banter."
On Thursday, footage from 1992 aired of Trump speaking to a 10-year-old girl, before saying, “I’m going to be dating her in 10 years, can you believe it?”
Top Comments
Why didn't I report? Because he was a cop.
One big problem is when there are no marks and no witnesses. Your word against theirs. I don't know what the solution to that is. Education? Women encouraged to report anyway so the assaulter is at least on notice? I don't think I'd risk losing my job because a horrible man groped me. I can understand that.
When I first read that so many women are sexually assured in some way I thought, 'not me.' But then I remembered.
I remember going next door when i was quite young, maybe 3 or 4, to visit the lady next door. She must not have been home but her teenage son was. All I can remember is i was on top of him and his mum came in. She was very angry and sent me home. My mum doesn't remember anything about it but I never went back. I also remember being 'groomed" by a man at Frankston Beach. I think I was 10 or so. He chatted to my brother and I on a bridge and asked where we like to swim. We told him. Later in the afternoon, while my mum and dad were parked at the top of the beach, he found me. Firstly he wanted to help me float. His hands went where they shouldn't. Then he said look under water and he exposed himself to me. I got out of the water for the rest of the afternoon and never told anyone! Wonder what sick things that horrible human went on to do.