Award-winning
journalist, Darieth Chisolm shared her story of how her life was turned upside
down in a Ted Talk.
Chisolm
found out through her ex-husband that nude photos of her had been posted on a
website. She knew it was her controlling, ex-boyfriend from Jamaica that had
posted them. He had posted them while she was asleep and, had already been
stalking and threatening to kill her.
Most
consider this cyberbullying, but the more specific name is revenge porn.
Chisolm calls it digital domestic violence and states that it usually comes
from a relationship where a partner leaves the other partner who is abusive and
controlling. The abusive partner can’t take the rejection, so they act out
through revenge.
The
internet can be a dangerous place. On social media, we post everything about
our lives. Nowadays, employers look on our social media accounts when
considering hiring. If they were to see inappropriate photos like this, that
would discourage them to give you the job. But it isn’t your fault that someone
took photos of you without your consent and posted them online.
In
this Ted Talk, Chisolm reported that “1 in 25 women are impacted” in a revenge
porn case, while “1 in 10 women” under the age of 30 are impacted. It’s so sad
that people think they can ruin lives like this. Some would blame the victim in
this case because they were the ones to take the photos. THE VICTIM NEVER
SHOULD BE BLAMED! The person who decided to go against that person and post
these photos are all who must be blamed.
Chisolm
worked hard to get justice. As of now, this crime is only a misdemeanor. She
has spent tons of money for this case to go anywhere. It was also difficult
because her ex-boyfriend was doing this from Jamaica, so she had to include
international affairs. The Jamaican industry and the Department of Homeland Security.
She got her justice, with her ex being arrested and possibly facing up to 10
years in prison.
But
Chisolm wanted to do more. She wanted to make sure no one went through what she
went through. So, she came up with 50 Shades of Silence, a global program that
deals with online harassment and crimes.
If someone
you know is being harassed online, go to https://www.50shadesofsilence.com/