#IAmNotAfraidToSayIt: Oksana Osmolovska

What You Need To Know:

✓ People from Ukraine and other countries share personal stories about sexual assault with the hashtag #ЯНеБоюсьСказати (#IAmNotAfraidToSayIt)

✓ Ukrainian activist and journalist Nastya Melnychenko, who published a post encouraging people to speak out, launched the movement.

✓ The  flashmob  reached other countries, such as Russia, USA, and Canada. 

#ЯНеБоюсьСказати is an initiative launched by Ukrainian activist and journalist Nastya Melnychenko. She published a post encouraging people to speak out about domestic violence or sexual assault. The movement has not been disappointing: both men and women, Ukrainians, Russians, Americans, and people from other countries have shared their stories in public.

Hromadske talked to some people who shared their experience. They’re convinced that society must know about it.

Oksana calls herself a “specific girl”. In 21 she was dating a 56-year old man, because she thought it was her last chance to find a partner. He drugged and raped her on her birthday.

“Why did I decide to tell that in particular? Why am I not ashamed or afraid and why do I want everybody to know this? I know I’m not alone,” she says.

Watch the story of a woman who was looking for love but instead of this met an old man who assaulted her. It’s a monologue about self-respect and change.