During an interview on the podcast, “The Way Up With Angela Lee,” Sheryl Lee Ralph spoke out against sexual assault. The actress recalled an alleged incident that happened years ago during a business event for a network she had been working with. The star stated that a “famous TV judge” attacked her in front of network executives who told her to stay silent in order to avoid “bad press.”
This man walked in, grabbed me by the back of my neck, turned me around, and rammed his nasty ass tongue down my throat. And everybody at the network saw it.
Ralph Opens Up
Ralph is an Emmy-winning “Abbott Elementary” actor who also starred in the 2006 film “Dreamgirls.” She refused to name her attacker but ensured everyone it was not Judge Greg Mathis. “Not him at all. He’s a great man. This was another one,” stated the star.
Her decision to open up about her sexual assault was made to help encourage other women to stand up for themselves. People should not feel discouraged to share their stories, she added. The actor wants people to “not carry the burden of the pain.” Especially if it is something they are struggling to “work through.”
At the time of the incident, Ralph starred in UPN’s sitcom “Moesha.” She stated she was prepared to press charges after the assault occurred. However, someone from the network asked her not to, saying they didn’t want “any bad press around their show.”
Reliving the Attack
The bystanders and network executives who witnessed the sexual assault stated “It’s not that bad is it?” Ralph added they also claimed the attack “wasn’t so bad after all, was it?” As the actress recalled the sexual attack people could see she was reliving the scenario all over again.
Situations like that are “what makes it difficult for women to speak up about these things,” stated Ralph.
It’s even more difficult for men to speak out against situations. Stereotypes like to say things like “but your a guy” or “you can’t sexually assault a guy.” However, the truth is that they can be sexually assaulted and raped.
Sexual Assault Facts Many Don’t Know
It’s a well-known fact that people do not have control over their body’s natural responses while being sexually assaulted. It is not uncommon for anyone to climax while they are being assaulted.
This is by no means a sign they wanted the situation to happen, The brain cannot distinguish the difference between a mauling rapist and the gentle touch of a lover. It just simply reacts to the stimulation the way it was designed to.
Many sexually assaulted victims feel deeply ashamed because their bodies naturally responded to the attack. It is often one of the best-kept secrets that many survivors hold.
Often times perpetrators will use this knowledge as a dirty trick to make the victim feel responsible. Activist and feminist writer, Diana E. H. Russell, wrote that “Some rapists think they’re lovers.” Adding that they believe if they stimulate their victim in “just the right way” the victim will enjoy it.
Taking a Stand
In the podcast, Ralph said she had called the then-mayor of New Orleans, Marc Morial. She said he immediately came to her defense. Morial even offered to send the police to her so she could report the incident.
Ralph may have stayed silent at the time, however, she is now standing up for what’s right.
Sexual violence can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, etc. One in three women and one in six men are sexually assaulted at some point in their lives.
If anyone has been a victim of sexual assault please don’t stay silent. Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected to a local sexual assault provider. Speaking up about the incident helps the healing process begin. The impact of sexual assault varies from person to person. Speaking up takes the power away from the perpetrators and gives it back to the survivors. It also helps other victims gain the confidence to share their stories.
By Sheena Robertson
Sources:
Pandora’s Project: SEXUAL AROUSAL AND SEXUAL ASSAULT
Prescottvally: Common Feelings of Survivors of Sexual Assault
Variety: Sheryl Lee Ralph Alleges ‘Famous TV Judge’ Sexually Assaulted Her: ‘Everybody at the Network Saw It’
Top and Featured Image by Steve Shapiro Courtesy of 2011 Caribbean HIV Conference‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inset Image by Suiren2022 Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License
