![There is a time for silence and a time to speak out - [Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/12/11/660x290/b_502x220x82/there-is-a-time-for-silence-and-a-time-to-speak-out-photo-by-kristina-flour-on-unsplash_1729695.jpg "There is a time for silence and a time to speak out - [Photo by Kristina Flour on Unsplash]")
Looking at Times 2017 Person of the Year cover photograph, most people see five women, representing the “Silence Breakers." Five women are featured, including Taylor Swift, Ashley Judd, Former Uber engineer Susan Fowler, lobbyist Adama Iwu, and Isabel Pascual, an immigrant strawberry picker from Mexico whose name was changed to protect her identity. What you may not notice is the arm of a sixth person.
Breaking: @Time Magazine's 2017 “Person Of The Year” is 'The Silence Breakers’, the women who’ve shared their experiences with sexual harassment & assault. #TIMEPOY #TimePersonOfTheYear pic.twitter.com/yCYEdhA0CE
— TODAY Graphics (@TODAYGraphics) December 6, 2017
You will not see the face of a hospital worker from Texas, who wishes to remain anonymous to protect her family.
The photo is cropped at the shoulder to show her solidarity in sticking by the other "Silence Breakers" while maintaining her anonymity. Her inclusion in the photo serves to highlight the many victims who feel they cannot speak out for fear of the repercussions.
Initially thought by some to be a haphazard crop job by The Times, the photo has proved to stir exactly the kind of discussion which needs to continue on the topic of Sexual Harassment.
Speaking out against harassment
The “Silence Breakers” represent the thousands of people across the world who have come forward and spoken out about their assault and sexual harassment. For some, however, they feel that this disclosure will negatively impact their families and therefore must remain silent.
Journalist Helen Rosner compared the photo to New York magazines July 2015 cover depiction of the 35 women who came forward to accuse Bill Cosby of sexual assault. The cover photo left one empty chair to symbolize the women who felt they could not come forward with their story.
When @NYMag did their Cosby accuser cover they similarly left an empty chair — it's an elegant and powerful gesture, a visual ellipsis pic.twitter.com/q4xO4tkiw2
— Helen Rosner (@hels) December 6, 2017
According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network), an American is sexually assaulted every 98 seconds.
Every eight minutes that victim is a child.
Out of every six American women, one has been the victim of rape or attempted rape at some point in her life. Only about 3 percent of American men have had such attacks.
Most rapists, or accused rapists, have had a prior conviction. Over half have a previous conviction for rape, robbery, or assault and battery.
Most are well known to the victim, a friend or family member or coworker.
All too timely
The Times cover photo is, unfortunately, all too timely. With new allegations coming in every day accusing a new celebrity of abusing their coworkers, this is a topic very much on the minds of many Americans.
New accusations of sexual harassment and assault have been lodged against President Donald Trump through a news conference on Monday (Dec. 11). The abrupt exit of Mario Batali from ABC’s show “The Chew” was announced earlier today and is just the latest in a growing list.
NBC's former "Today" show host Matt Lauer was fired over complaints of inappropriate behavior. Harassment complaints have also been lodged against Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Piven, Oliver Stone, and Harvey Weinstein, to name just a few.
A list of resources to help victims of sexual harassment and abuse are available on the RAINN.org website.
