I’m Jane Doe.
He was 19, I was 17.
I was sleeping and was woken up “by this”.
He was my boyfriend.
His name was… (Name removed by the editors).
I’m Jane Doe.
He was 24, I was 19.
I cried during and after.
I was told not to make a big deal out of it.
His name was… (Name removed by the editors).
Hundreds of women are currently sharing similar testimonies on social media, describing alleged sexual assaults. These cases cannot be verified. This phenomenon follows an alleged assault at a prestigious American university.
A former Cornell student accuses seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of sexually assaulting her in 2024, while they were under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The victim, known under the pseudonym Jane Doe, filed a complaint against the attackers and the university. The latter excluded two of the accused, while the others received less severe sanctions. No criminal proceedings have yet been initiated. The defendants deny the allegations.
American content creator and political commentator, Michael Tracey has sparked controversy. He called on his followers on X to discover Jane Doe’s identity in order to assess her credibility. He also said he would be willing to release his name and other identifying information if made available to him.
But thousands of women showed their solidarity with the anonymous complainant. With the #IAmJaneDoe campaign, they aim to protect her identity by flooding search engines and artificial intelligence applications with identical posts, while sharing their own experiences of sexual violence.
Give strength to victims
In German-speaking countries, users are also sharing their experiences on X and Threads. A woman explains the meaning of the hashtag #IamJaneDoe. This one means: “We are Jane Doe. We have stories.” It’s about “giving strength to victims through victims.”
This movement is reminiscent of #MeToo in 2017. At the time, victims also shared their experiences of sexual harassment and violence under a common hashtag. Andrea Hofmann, from the “Frauenberatung Sexuale Gewalt Zürich” (Zurich Counseling Center for Women Victims of Sexual Violence), explains that it is essential for victims to see that they are not alone with their experiences.
When many women speak out publicly to denounce sexual violence, the subject becomes less taboo and victims finally feel listened to and understood. This creates “a space where lived experiences, long silenced, can be shared.”
However, we must not forget that sexual violence is often associated with feelings of shame and guilt. Many victims wonder if they should have acted differently or if they will be believed. This dynamic also affects men, for whom the subject is sometimes even more taboo.
Coming out publicly is risky
Andrea Hofmann goes on to explain that hearing other people’s stories can help put your own experiences into perspective. Some people only realize after the fact that a situation they had long downplayed or considered their fault was actually a boundary violation or sexual violence. “It is crucial that victims feel solidarity, trust and credibility.”
Sharing personal experiences on social media, however, also carries risks: victims may be publicly doubted or attacked. “In the comments, for example, we quickly find remarks on what a woman should have done differently or on the reasons why she would bear some responsibility,” explains the expert.
Such reactions can intensify feelings of shame and guilt and ultimately have the opposite effect. This is why a solidarity movement should not put additional pressure on everyone to make their story public.
