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Sex Scandals and Social Change

I’d like to take a moment and ask a question in regards to the Jennifer Lawrence (and many others) “scandal,” and that is this: why now?

This is not a question of why these photos are now circulating. Honestly, they could have been leaked at any point, and I would still ask the same question.

This is a question of social response. Why now?

When the photos surfaced, I was shocked by the reactions. Both the Huffington Post and Forbes published articles that veered the negative comments and blame away from Lawrence and instead called it a sex crime of sorts.

By no means am I disagreeing with their sentiment. I believe that Lawrence, and any other person for that matter who privately sends a suggestive photo is not to blame for it getting out. Generally, there is a basic trust that comes with doing something along those lines; one would not send something like that to just anyone, and I’d like to think the receiver would be aware of that trust as well.

What we have learned as this story continued to be reported is that Apple’s iCloud may be to blame, due to its lack of security.

Regardless of why or how, my question remains. Why now?

Why are we now calling this a sex crime? Why is it now a violation of consent, whereas only a few years ago this was not the case?

Again, I am not saying that I disagree. I would just like to understand what caused this change of heart.

Perhaps it is the newfound social awareness and activism for women that has helped change the conversation.

Project Unbreakable is just one of many awareness-raising online projects allowing victims of sexual assault to share their stories.

Over the summer the hashtag #yesallwomen exploded all over Twitter in response to the trending #notallmen tag, illustrating the struggles that women go through on a daily basis.

Social media of all kinds have become forums for women to share their stories, struggles and empower one another. These stories in turn get shared enough to bring awareness to the forefront of our minds, as well as our newsfeeds.

This is not meant to only focus on women’s issues, since the nude photo scandal is being called a sex crime/consent issue. However, the fact still remains that oftentimes it is women who are sexualized for media consumption and discussion.

Social change is an amazing thing, especially if you are witnessing it firsthand. This shift in reaction may seem minuscule, but change needs to start somewhere.

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