Ted Talk: "How Revenge Porn Turns Lives Upside Down"

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/