Jodie Sweetin Opens Up About Her Own Sexual Assault In Support Of Dr. Christine Ford

Jodie Sweetin has been inspired to open up about her #MeToo story.
On Thursday, the Fuller House star spoke out in support of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s emotional testimony at Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court hearing, sharing in an emotional Instagram post her own experience with sexual assault.
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Alongside a photo of herself wearing a camo jacket with the words “What doesn’t kill you f**ks you up mentally” written on the back, the actress explained why she identifies with Ford, and why she understands just how hard it was for the doctor to speak her truth.
She wrote in the caption:

“I stand with her. I AM her. I was the girl who never reported because I blamed myself. I was the woman who never reported because I didn’t want to go through the pain and ridicule.”

The 36-year-old went on to explain that Dr. Ford’s testimony, in which she was subjected to a bizarre cross-examination by a female prosecutor, illustrates how quick society is to persecute and judge sexual assault survivors.
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Which is exactly why, Sweetin added, survivors are so hesitant to speak out in the first place:

“What we saw today is about a much bigger issue of survivors of sexual assault being persecuted, judged and re-traumatized when they do come forward. We are told that if it were ‘real’, we would have reported it at the time. Often when we were merely children or young girls.”

In light of Dr. Ford’s brave testimony, however, Sweetin said she feels empowered and hopeful for the future, adding:

“Although I may never be as brave or as unflinching in the face of such an inquisition as she was today, it has given me hope. That maybe, just maybe, female survivors of sexual assault may be heard. Even if our voice is barely above a whisper.”

Put enough whispers together and eventually they become a war cry. Read her full post (below).