Was the very real problem of sexual violence against women getting ANY attention before this? As far as I can tell, no. Not outside of some very specific niche communities - feminists, social workers, etc.
Are there drawbacks? Yeah of course there are drawbacks to everything. Does a woman complaining about getting hit on or touched on the knee and equating it to sexual assault pose issues for women who have been “really assaulted” being taken seriously? Yes. However, we’ve never been taken seriously to begin with. So I’m looking at it as a process.
Women aren’t making themselves victims. Women who are actually victims - made so by other people - are speaking out and owning it so that maybe, just maybe some people will open their eyes and see the extent of the problem here.
I was raped. I have also been otherwise assaulted. I am a victim. But I’m not walking around “acting like a victim” - being a victim of a crime does not mean I have noagency or power in my life or have not risen above my victimhood in that area. Acknowledging you have been victimized is not something to be ashamed or embarrassed of, and we shouldn’t have to keep it in the closet to “look strong” or some other bullshit. Owning your experience is strength. It’s also, if you ask a therapist, an important piece of not walking around your life as an eternal victim.
If you told me you were robbed I wouldn’t be like “stop being a victim” - only women are asked to shut up because it makes other people uncomfortable and then gaslit with this victim bullshit.