It was initially Billie Eilish’s completely new look on the cover of Vogue UK which caused a real shock wave on social media. The singer, still only nineteen, has in recent years professionally hidden her body under baggy sweaters and loose pants, because she did not want to make that body a topic of conversation. This time, none of that: the singer dressed herself in a pink corset for her cover shoot, wearing latex gloves and heels. With blonde hair too, her hair color that she showed before, but that makes her “feel more like a woman”.
We would almost forget that in addition to the much-discussed images, there was also a conversation. A conversation in which she talks, among other things, about the transgressive behavior she experienced as a minor. She already did that in her latest single, ‘Your Power’ – “an open letter to men who abuse their power”, she calls that song.
She prefers not to go into detail about her experiences. That is not necessary, she thinks: transgressive behavior and sexual violence are a systematic problem, Eilish believes. “I don’t know any girl or woman who hasn’t been in an uncomfortable situation, or who has been through something horrible. And boys are also regularly abused. ”
“Cross-border behavior and sexual violence are a systematic problem because even women and girls who are not confronted with rape start planning their lives according to the possible danger,” says Liesbeth Kennes, expert on sexual violence. “The classic example is girls who are no longer allowed to cycle home alone after going out, while that is usually not a problem for male peers.”
Victims often remain silent
According to Kennes, #MeToo (international) and #wijoverdrijvennot (with us) actually had their effect in making sexual violence more open to discussion. Yet sexual violence also remains a problem in Flanders. For example, about ten reports of rape are received in Belgium every day, and it is estimated that 90 percent of victims ultimately do not take legal action. “So you have to count on about a hundred cases a day in our country, ranging from children to adults to older people. Those are very serious figures. ”
Moreover, it can happen to anyone, says Eilish Vogue. “It doesn’t matter how strong or smart you are, you can always be taken advantage of. Even confident girls can suddenly find themselves in a situation where they notice that they are actually being abused. ” Moreover, many of those situations do not correspond to the cliché image of rape, Kennes knows. “We know from research that sexual violence is mainly committed by friends, partners or ex-partners. They are often messy situations where some acts were done with consent, causing victims to start doubting themselves and their role in the violence that was inflicted on them. That is why it is so important that we adjust that image. ”
“I see guilt and shame returning to almost every victim, even if they are not very traumatized,” says Kennis. “In the worst cases, people can’t even sleep because their bodies are constantly preparing for potential danger. Those complaints can even drag on for months. Other people are more likely to be irritated or frightened if their partner or child makes a sudden movement. In such cases it is very important that people seek psychological help. ”
No remains no
Eilish isn’t the first pop star to speak out against sexual violence; many men and women – including Kesha and Lady Gaga – preceded her. Have such celebrity statements impact, or are they going beyond their mark? According to Sofie Van Bauwel, professor of media studies at Ghent University, these kinds of testimonials are absolutely valuable: “A lot of people who experience unacceptable behavior today are not likely to share those experiences or do not seek help. When a story circulates that they can identify with, they may begin to question what is happening to them. It can make people feel less alone, and it may even prompt them to take legal action. ”
Kennes agrees: “After unacceptable behavior or sexual violence, victims often feel enormous shame. Then when they hear that someone they look up to was going through a similar situation, it can make them more gentle on themselves. ”
The fact that the singer is on the cover of an international fashion magazine for a change with a cleavage, does not detract from that. “Showing your body should not take any respect from you,” the singer notes Vogue UK. Van Bauwel also sees a particularly powerful statement in the choice of wardrobe and the associated message from Eilish: “She seems to want to say: whatever I wear, a no remains a no. Just because you show your cleavage does not mean that you provoke undesirable behavior. ”
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