Mocking of teen rape victim prompts major internet backlash
Photos of a 16-year-old American girl, who was allegedly raped, have been passed around social media and mocked by teens, using the hashtag #jadapose. Now, Jada and her supporters are fighting back
#IAmJada: Jada chose to wave her anonymity and speak out about rape
Have you heard about Jada? Over the past few days, the 16-year-old girl from Houston, Texas has become something of a social media presence.
But not for the reasons you might think.
A few weeks ago Jada went to a house party with school friends. While there, she says her drink was spiked by the teenage male host. She fell unconscious, was stripped naked and allegedly raped.
Then pictures of her – bottomless, unconscious, splayed out on the floor – began to appear on social media, where they went viral.
Other teens began shaming Jada. They mocked her pose and posted pictures of themselves mimicking it under the hashtag #jadapose and using the message 'hit that'.
Other teens began shaming Jada. They mocked her pose and posted pictures of themselves mimicking it under the hashtag #jadapose and using the message 'hit that'.
One of the images posted on Twitter - now removed
One of the images posted on Twitter - now removed
Her the alleged rapist bragged about not raping her, calling Jada a "hoe" and saying that she "snitched". His account has since been deleted, but his friends have made fun of it and others have questioned why she didn't report the incident immediately.
Jada says she doesn’t remember anything at the party after having her drink. In fact, she didn’t know anything was wrong until friends started asking whether she was OK and she saw the images of herself being circulated online.
Now, the backlash has begun.
Jada decided to wave her anonymity (asking to be identified by her first name) and speak out against what happened to her and - she believes - teens all over America (such as in the Steubenville rape case).
“Everybody has already seen my face and my body,” she told KHOU news, “but that’s not what I am and who I am.”
Jada has waved her anonymity. Photo: Khou.com
Jada has waved her anonymity. Photo: Khou.com
Twitter has also kicked into action...
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Women and men have been posing pictures on social media in a show of solidarity with Jada - raising their fists and holding signs, as she did in a picture with the hashtag #IAmJada. They also appear under hashtags such as #StandWithJada, #JusticeforJadaand #Jadacounterpose and demand a change in rape culture, education - and for arrests to be made in Jada's case. They have slammed those who made fun of her and sent the photos viral.
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This protest has also been circulating on Facebook.
Houston police are now investigating the case. While Twitter and Instagram have removed the original pictures, although some GIFs remain.
And it's not just Twitter that's fighting back. Jada's family is fighting for justice. "I'm just angry," Jada said, calling for her attacker to be jailed and explaining that she now wants to be schooled at home.
While her mum, who chose not to be identified, added simply; “No human being deserved this.”
