This week, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) detailed the trauma she experienced being in the Capitol complex during the January 6 riot—and revealed that she’s a survivor of sexual assault. Now she’s explaining more about why she decided to share her story of that day and how, ultimately, being a survivor motivated her to speak up.
In a 90-minute livestream video on Instagram, Ocasio-Cortez gave a point-by-point description of the days leading up to the attack as well as what happened on the day. But first, she explained why it’s been hard for her to get to a point where she could tell her story. Other members of Congress, in telling her and others who were there to just “move on” after the insurrection, to “forget about” what happened, or that “it wasn’t a big deal,” are using “the tactics of abusers…And I’m a survivor of sexual assault,” she said.
“And I haven’t told many people that in my life. But when we go through trauma, trauma compounds on each other,” she continued. “And so, whether you had a negligent or a neglectful parent, or whether you had someone who was verbally abusive to you, whether you are a survivor of abuse, whether you experience any sort of trauma in your life—small to large—these episodes can compound on one another.”
So AOC’s previous experiences with trauma made her hesitate about sharing what happened, she said, especially knowing that her political opponents—several of whom encouraged the violence, she said—would likely dismiss her story. “As a survivor, I struggle with the idea of being believed,” she explained. “And what’s odd is that I am in a job where people are constantly calling me untruthful or that I’m exaggerating.”
Ocasio-Cortez said she realized the full impact of what she’d been through when Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley told her that what she experienced was traumatizing and she needed to take care of herself. “It was so important,” she said. “And I think for so many people out there, if you have experienced any sort of trauma just the fact of recognizing that and admitting that is already a huge step, especially in a world where people are constantly trying to tell you that you didn’t experience what you experienced or that you’re lying. Those are additional traumas.”
It’s common for survivors of sexual assault to develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including intense physical and emotional reactions when triggered by reminders of the event, SELF explained previously. Those triggers could include specific details in news stories about assault or, certainly, experiencing another traumatic event. It’s also unfortunately common for survivors to be dismissed, subject to intense scrutiny, or punished for coming forward, which just makes it scarier and more difficult for others to speak up.
But AOC did decide to share her trauma—and she explained on Twitter a little bit more about why. “I really wrestled w telling my story, & had decided about a week ago that it probably wasn’t worth it,” she wrote. But then she had dinner with New York State Senator Alessandra Biaggi. “I told her everything because I knew she was a survivor. She helped me see the importance of sharing my story of the Capitol and trauma,” Ocasio-Cortez said. She also credited other “affirmers” (including Pressley and Representative Katie Porter) with making her feel comfortable speaking publicly about what happened.
Of course, no one is obligated to share their experience of sexual assault or trauma. But when high-profile people do, it can have an impact—and serve as a reminder of just how common and harmful these types of experiences really are. A sexual assault occurs every 73 seconds in the U.S., according to the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN). And the way we as a society respond when someone speaks about their experience is crucial—for the survivor as well as anyone else who may be watching.
“You may not know that you know a survivor, but it’s highly likely that you do. Survivors of trauma are close to you. They are people you love & you may not know. Many decide whether their story is safe with someone by how they respond to other survivors. Don’t push them away,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote. “This is all to say that survivors are watching. Loved ones are watching. They may share their story tomorrow, or in months or years. Or they may never. Speaking vitriol towards other survivors hurts you & your loved ones. Bc dismissers rob themselves of meaningful relationships.”
Related:
- We Asked Trauma Therapists How to Deal With Triggering News Headlines About Sexual Assault
- Lady Gaga Describes What Her PTSD Symptoms Feel Like: ‘My Whole Body Goes Into a Spasm’
- What It’s Like to Reclaim Your Sex Life After Sexual Assault