Parker Brandt
Trigger Warning: This article discusses topics and media that include depictions and/or themes of sexual assault and abuse, suicide, trauma, mental health and illness. While we aim to approach these subjects carefully and responsibly, readers may find the content distressing or triggering.
April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and promoting the prevention of sexual violence. Sexual assault is a pervasive issue that impacts millions of individuals, often leaving those affected to navigate the trauma and aftermath in silence. In recent years, various forms of media, especially film and music, have emerged as powerful tools for raising awareness and fostering open conversations about sexual assault.
One song that discusses this topic that I find particularly moving is Lady Gaga’s “Til It Happens To You,” written for the 2015 documentary “The Hunting Ground.”
The song was created to bring attention to the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses in the United States, and focuses on the emotional and psychological impact it has on affected individuals. The song’s powerful lyrics, paired with Gaga’s emotive delivery, create a raw description of some of the feelings, isolation, trauma and helplessness that many may experience following an assault.
The song highlights that many people are unaware of the depth of sexual violence. Through this track, Gaga effectively invites listeners to acknowledge the importance of supporting those affected.
The accompanying music video further amplifies the song’s message. By confronting such a sensitive issue head-on, Gaga’s “Til It Happens To You” fosters a public discourse about sexual assault that is not often seen in mainstream media, making it a significant contribution to the conversation surrounding the issue.
Similarly, Fiona Apple’s “Sullen Girl,” from her debut album, “Tidal,” offers a raw, introspective exploration of the emotional aftermath of trauma.
The song is an account of Apple’s life after surviving an assault as a child. Apple’s melancholic tone and the sparse instrumentation create a sense of isolation, as if she were trapped within her internal world, unable to escape the weight of her trauma.
“Sullen Girl” acts as a quiet, yet powerful commentary on the lingering effects of trauma, showcasing how the experience of sexual assault can fracture an individual’s sense of self.
Apple sings, “Is that why they call me a sullen girl? They don’t know I used to sail the deep and tranquil sea, but he washed me ‘shore, and he took my pearl and left an empty shell of me.”
In a different yet similarly profound way, TOOL’s “Prison Sex” tackles the psychological and emotional impact of the trauma from sexual assault. While its title may suggest a literal interpretation, the song is ultimately metaphorical, exploring the long-term emotional and psychological effects that can follow sexual assault.
The lyrics suggest that trauma can lead to a sense of powerlessness, where one may feel trapped in their own emotions and unable to escape the lasting effects of their experiences. The metaphor of “prison” reflects this idea of confinement, with the song highlighting how one may feel isolated, confused, and lost within oneself.
The song portrays trauma’s complexity by exploring the subject’s internal conflict. It suggests that even though there may be a desire to move forward or heal, the lingering effects of assault may lead to self-doubt and internalized shame. TOOL’s use of intense imagery emphasizes this emotional struggle.
While music plays a crucial role in addressing sexual assault, films have also made significant contributions to this conversation. “The Skeleton Twins,” directed by Craig Johnson, is a dark comedy-drama that follows estranged twin siblings, Maggie Dean played by Kristen Wiig and Milo Dean played by Bill Hader, who reunite after both attempt suicide within days of each other.
As the two siblings try to reconnect, the film uncovers difficult truths about their childhood, including the sexual abuse that Milo experienced from their father. The film primarily focuses on the strained relationship between the siblings and their efforts to heal from their respective traumas.
Milo’s abuse is not depicted in detail, but instead portrayed as a memory that continues to affect him throughout his life. The trauma manifests in various ways, including challenges with maintaining healthy relationships, self-destructive behaviors and struggles with depression.
Through Milo’s character, “The Skeleton Twins” illustrates how sexual abuse impacts more than just the moment it occurs. The film powerfully shows how sexual assault can derail one’s sense of self-worth and trust in others, and how it can influence their emotional and mental health for a lifetime.
Much like “The Skeleton Twins,” “Girl, Interrupted” (1999), directed by James Mangold, examines the lasting effects of trauma, set within a psychiatric institution in the late ‘60s. “Girl, Interrupted” is based on Susanna Kaysen‘s memoir, following her experience after being admitted to a similar institution. The film explores her struggles with mental illness, her relationships with other patients and her journey toward understanding herself.
Through interactions with Daisy Randone, played by Brittany Murphy, Kaysen navigates the complexities of identity, mental health and personal healing within the confines of the institution.
In “Girl, Interrupted,” Daisy’s assault is portrayed in a way that captures the lasting effects and trauma of sexual violence with emotional depth and realism. Her flashbacks to the assault further emphasize how survivors may frequently and unexpectedly relive their experiences, underscoring the long-lasting psychological toll. By not providing a clear-cut ending, “Girl, Interrupted” emphasizes that recovery is an ongoing and complex process.
Overall, the film presents a layered portrayal of how sexual assault can affect someone, both psychologically and socially, without simplifying or romanticizing the experience. It underscores the deep and far-reaching consequences of trauma, showing how it impacts not only the individual but also their relationships and day-to-day life.
Representations of sexual assault in music and film serve not only to illuminate the profound psychological and emotional effects of trauma, but also to foster empathy, understanding and critical dialogue.
Through these creative mediums, we are reminded that the healing process is neither linear nor simple — affected individuals often carry the weight of their experiences for years, navigating a landscape of stressors that extend far beyond the moment of assault.
As society continues to confront the realities of sexual violence, it is crucial that we not only listen to the stories of survivors but also actively engage in conversations that dismantle the silence surrounding these issues. By amplifying the voices and narratives of those affected, we can begin to foster a more compassionate and supportive environment that prioritizes dignity, understanding and access to meaningful resources.
Edited by Ava McCluer | amccluer@themaneater.com
Copyedited by Jayden Bates-Bland and Ava Mohror | amohror@themaneater.com
Edited by Emilia Hansen | ehansen@themaneater.com
Edited by Annie Goodykoontz | agoodykoontz@themaneater.com