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Just over a week ago, professor and research psychologist Dr Christine Blasey Ford shared her powerful account of the night she alleges Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her.
Dr Ford’s testimony has already had a huge impact, and many say there is no doubting her testimony and others are inspired to come forward with their stories of assault.
So now the US Senate is preparing to determine whether or not Kavanaugh will indeed become a Supreme Court judge based on his own testimony and Dr Ford’s. With this decision pending, Time magazine has honoured Dr Ford with a striking cover.
According to Time, the cover was created by San Francisco-based artist John Mavroudis, who used Dr Ford’s words to recreate the now-iconic picture of her raising her right hand with her eyes closed, swearing to tell the truth. The artist drew each letter by hand, building the image from words in a process that he described as “like putting a jigsaw puzzle together.”
"The memory quotes would be attached to her forehead area, and the quotes about wanting to help I placed on her hand. The hand could be seen as welcoming, but also deflecting," he told Time. "It’s a fascinating process to watch the face take shape, while hoping that you’ve captured the essence."
According to the Guardian, the final vote on Kavanaugh’s appointment is delayed until October 6 due to an FBI investigation into the matter. But regardless of the outcomes, Dr Ford’s testimony is powerful and has caught the attention of the world. She is seen as a hero to all sexual assault survivors and those who are willing to come forward.
In the accompanying cover story, Haley Sweetland Edwards writes that Ford's testimony "was a powerful warning that wealth, status and a record of professional accomplishments were no longer enough to override credible allegations of sexual assault, no matter when they occurred."
But South Africans might be looking at this thinking why should we be bothered with a sexual assault accusation happening across the world concerning a man going into a justice system that is not ours? Well, simply because this case is a perfect example of how many men are protected by their friends and governments and never expect to have to pay the consequences for their past actions, and also of how differently men and women are treated especially when talking about sexual assault.
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Christine Blasey Ford had to face a panel of men and recount the night she was allegedly assaulted. She had to relive her trauma and keep calm and composed in front of a panel of people who historically have not had women’s best interests at heart. She explained herself clearly and with the knowledge of science.
Brett Kavanaugh on the other hand was visibly upset and got very emotional during the hearing. If Dr Ford had done the same, many feel she would have been discredited.
This case is important as it shows victims and survivors of sexual harassment that it is important to speak out no matter the profile of your attacker and that sometimes you must do what is right even if it is not easy.
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