It’s taken me a few days to find the words and the space to write about this. But I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t. For months now, I’ve watched in awe as @brittanyhiggins___ has spoken truth to power and told her story unflinchingly, all the while eerily predicting exactly how intense the effort to silence her would be. And yet we’re still hearing her voice. I learned everything I need to know about who Britt is, when she showed up for me in the middle of that chaotic social media storm surrounding Lizzo and Beyoncé. I didn’t realise that Britt had been paying attention to the aggressive trolling until she reached out to check that I was OK, at a time when things were definitely not going to plan for her either. I don’t think there’s a single woman in this country who is shocked by what’s happened to Brittany. We all feel it in our bones. We know that women are always held accountable for the choices of men. That even though it’s our bodies, minds and hearts, we’re the ones who violated. It’s what we wore. What we drank. What we said. We made it up for attention. For a book deal. Yes, because I’m sure this is what Britt wanted. It’s not like when this photo was taken, she was literally trembling with anxiety over people even knowing she was in the room. It’s not as though she hid in a corner, nearly in tears over the peace and anonymity she craved. Breaking women who come forward, to the point where pursuing justice comes at risk of not surviving is evil. So is trying to deny the voices of other women that man has done this to. That’s not justice. It’s polishing the gilded gates of patriarchal power. Saying to the boys club, we’ve got your back. Careful, boys. The women (and our allies) aren’t done yet. Even Rome burned, after all. The gratitude and love I have for Britt expunging her trauma in the name of making things better for others is immense. I’m proud to be your friend. I’m proud to work with giving women voice everyday. And to all of you brave beautiful people who have had to rebuild into phoenixes, I believe you ❤️