Former California U.S. Rep. Katie Hill wrote a brave, moving essay for The New York Times that detailed her experiences as the survivor of a “toxic” marriage, leaving Congress, and contemplating suicide while in one of the “darkest places” she’s ever experienced. The op-ed has drawn support for Hill online.
After a political hack published nude photographs of Hill without her consent, criticism (and outright shaming) of the young, openly bisexual member of Congress was swift and fierce. Hill says that beyond even just criticism online, she and her staff faced physical threats. She writes in her piece that during this time, she contemplated suicide.
"The fear that my husband would ruin me hung over me every day. I knew the risk when I left, but I thought I didn't have a choice, and despite the threat, I felt better than I had in years," Hill wrote. "The day that my communications director ran into my office and showed me the nudes and private text messages that had been published on a right-wing website called Red State, everything came crashing down. I believe my husband is the source of the images."
Since resigning, Hill has continued to be vocal in politics, especially in wanting to see Donald Trump impeached. She also plans to become an advocate in support of survivors of cyberexploitation, also known as “revenge porn.” Though she was in office for less than a year, Hill has no plans to fade from the public eye.
In addition to sharing her own emotional journey, Hill dispelled a rumor that Democrats in office, specifically House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, had urged her to resign. "In fact, one of the most difficult moments during my resignation process was my phone call to the Speaker, a woman I admire more than anyone and whom I had come to love," Hill wrote. "She told me I didn't have to do this, that the country needed me and that she wished I hadn't made this decision, but she respected me and what I felt I needed to do. I told her what I told everyone else when I announced my resignation: that it was the right thing to do."
Sharing personal stories often helps shatter stigma, and Hill’s words are no exception. While abuse continues to be hurled at her online, Hill also got a ton of support—especially from people who identify themselves as survivors. Since the images of Hill were first leaked, people have stressed that the criticism of Hill is a double standard rooted in sexism, and fundamentally unfair.
Relatedly, people have pointed out that in a changing world of technology, images and videos that could later become cyberexploitation may unfairly keep women and nonbinary people in fear: If the people in the images are shamed, punished, or shunned, the opportunity for blackmail and abuse runs high. Commenters express hope for better protection for victims, as well as stricter laws, including at the federal level. And while we usually talk about cyberexploitation being used against women, it can also be used to abuse or target men—protections would help every single person, regardless of sex or gender identity.
In her Times essay, Hill also shatters stigma by talking about mental health and suicide. And people are deeply moved.
"I don't know exactly what's ahead for me," Hill wrote, "and I know there's a lot more pain ahead. But I'm in the fight, and I'm glad it's not all over after all."
If you or a loved one are in need of support, check out these free mental health resources. The 24-7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255.