Last week, we reported on Jada, a 16-year-old girl from Houston who had images of her sexual assault posted on social media. The images inspired a hashtag, #jadapose, mocking her splayed-out position in the photos, which went viral on Vine and Twitter.
Since then, more horrific details have emerged about Jada’s case: In an interview on Ronan Farrow Daily, Jada revealed that the boy who posted photos of her assault on Twitter did it to gain “more followers.” And in another interview, her pastor, who has been acting as a de facto spokesperson for Jada’s family, hinted that Jada was not the only girl to be assaulted that night. (The Houston Police has said there have been no arrests at this time, but they are “actively investigating” the case).
The Internet has expressed outrage toward Jada’s attackers and the boy who posted the photos on Twitter, as well as support for Jada herself, tweeting the hashtag #justiceforjada. As for Jada, she’s maintained courage and dignity in the face of incredible adversity. Rather than shrink away from the spotlight, she’s been doing the media rounds, sharing her story with the world, and encouraging other sexual assault and cyberbullying victims to take a stand against their attackers.
Yesterday, Farrow tweeted the following photo of her with the hashtag “#IAmJada”:
Show your support for Jada. Take a picture & share it. Let’s create a firestorm against bullies on Twitter. #IAMJADA pic.twitter.com/CJZn38WlYk
— Team Ronan Daily (@RonanDaily) July 14, 2014
The hashtag quickly blew up, with many men and women tweeting their support for Jada:
#IamJada #GirlsMatter #GirlsLikeMe pic.twitter.com/Ck3mBOsLZF
— LaKeisha Gray-Sewel (@MrsGirlsLikeMe) July 15, 2014
RAPE AND BULLYING IS NOT OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #IamJada pic.twitter.com/Hb55NzuSlS
— dkarimah (@DKnDC) July 15, 2014
#IAMJADA Real men don’t rape… pic.twitter.com/YNHeanCt6b
— SEAN C TURNER (@SEANCTURNER1) July 14, 2014
#iamjada #stopsexualviolence #protectourchildren pic.twitter.com/JyEggk62i9
— Aerith VII (@AerithViiMFC) July 14, 2014
Rape and cyber bullying is nothing to joke about, so I am standing up with Jada, let’s put a stop too it. #iamjada pic.twitter.com/RZs5iS0Q3G
— Mrs. Green (@UnleashYoFreak) July 14, 2014
I haven’t tweeted in forever but this is worth it #iamjada pic.twitter.com/Vwr3dOQmZm
— Rayxine Lund (@Raye_Ray) July 14, 2014
So, to those who took part in Jada’s humiliation, let this be a lesson to you. There’s nothing you can do to break this girl, or the millions of other young women standing strong behind her.
Screengrab via MSNBC/Ronan Farrow Daily