Adena M'lynn's Voice

Words matter. Labels matter. And in a time when truth itself is under attack, using the correct and factual terms to describe public figures—especially those seeking or are already in power—is not only necessary but vital for a functioning democracy.  The rapist draft dodger trump is not just a president. He is a convicted felon. He has been found liable for sexual abuse (rape) in a court of law. He has used his platform and power to mock people with disabilities, attack women, demean people of color, belittle veterans, and stigmatize people with addictions. Sugarcoating these facts or avoiding the proper labels is dangerous. Let’s be clear, the truth should not be softened for the sake of political convenience or social comfort. Why We Must Use the Labels 1. Truth Telling Is a Form of Resistance Calling Trump a convicted felon or a rapist isn’t name-calling. It’s truth-telling. He was found liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll by a jury of his peers. He is a con...

Breaking the Silence Shame is a powerful force, and few experiences invoke it as deeply and destructively as rape. For survivors of sexual violence, shame can feel like an overwhelming burden, one they are left to carry despite being the victim of an unspeakable violation. This shame, however, is not born from their actions but from the persistent cultural stigmas that surround rape. In many ways, this shame can be as damaging as the physical and emotional trauma itself, lingering long after the assault. The Root of Shame Shame surrounding rape often arises from the false belief that survivors are somehow responsible for what happened to them. Victims are told, both explicitly and implicitly, that they should have fought back harder, avoided dangerous situations, or acted differently. Society frequently places more scrutiny on the survivor’s actions than on the perpetrator’s, leading to a distorted view of accountability. In some cultures, a victim’s “honor” may be considered damag...

Understanding the Complex Barriers to Speaking Out When survivors of sexual assault wait years before coming forward, society often questions, “Why didn’t they speak up sooner?” I have personally, heard this by law enforcement, psychologist, and family. Unfortunately, these queries often lack understanding of the many complexities surrounding sexual violence, the trauma it inflicts, and the societal forces that shape survivors’ responses. There are many reasons why a woman may choose to delay reporting a sexual assault or going public, and these reasons are deeply intertwined with psychological, social, and legal factors. Trauma and Psychological Impact One of the most significant reasons survivors delay reporting is the profound trauma caused by the assault. Rape is not just a physical violation but an emotional and psychological one. After such an event, many survivors experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including denial, dissociation, and avoidance. Th...