Political and social commentary on Facebook is common, and the posts of well-known celebrities and politicians often go viral. But every now and then, we get some jewels from every day people sharing their perspective on important issues—and they light up the Internet.
Such is the case of Bree Wiseman on July 19, 2017. Wiseman used her Facebook Timeline to post about rape and the secondary assault by society and the courts against rape victims after the crime. In Wiseman’s post, you see the image of her dog sitting obediently as he waits for his favorite meal. Here is her Facebook post made public and shared over a quarter of a million times.
“To the people that say women get raped due to the way they are dressed,” Wiseman wrote in the caption. “This is my dog. His favorite food is steak. He is eye level with my plate. He won’t get any closer because I told him no. If a dog is better behaved than you are, you need to reevaluate your life. Feel free to share, my dog is adorable.”
Wiseman spoke with Huffington Post about why she opted to make her Facebook post public. The young woman who is a pastry chef and restaurant manager in Tennessee, said she experienced sexual assault herself and pointed out the truth: people often blame the victim and excuse the perpetrator’s crime.
“If a 4-year-old pit bull understands the word ‘no,’ even though he is looking at something he wants so bad he is literally drooling, then adults should understand ‘no,’ no matter how the other adult is dressed. Appearances shouldn’t make any difference in sexual assault cases,” she said, adding, ”How is it that a simple-minded animal has the ability to understand better than a large part of the adult population?”
Wiseman adds:
“The only person to blame in a rape offense is the rapist,” she said. “It was their decision to rape. People shouldn’t have to worry about what they chose to wear for fear of rape. I want people to see that this is a problem, and to stand together against victim-shaming.”
Thank you, Bree Wiseman. Thank you to all the sexual abuse victims/survivors who bravely speak out in order that they may heal and help others to heal.
If you or someone you know is has ever been a victim of rape/sexual assault, you are not alone and it’s never too late to seek help. You can find free support via the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673) and/or by visiting the Rape, Abuse Incest National Network/online.RAINN.org. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911. You do not have to live with guilt and shame. You are not alone. If you can hold on to one thing, remember this: It’s not your fault.