Two people have been arrested in connection with the rape of Texas teenager Jada, who ignited a firestorm of support after her alleged attacker posted photos of the teen drugged and unconscious online.
According to MSNBC’s Ronan Farrow, a minor and an adult were arrested in the rape case. Jada’s story caught the attention of the web five months ago when her attacker made a mockery of the incident by posting the teen’s limp body online, leading misguided youth to create the disrespectful “Jada Pose” hashtag. Thanks to the help of Farrow, Jada came forward with the #IAmJada hashtag, creating discussion around the victims of rape and sexual assault.
Farrow interviewed Jada alongside Quanell X, a local leader in the New Black Panther Party.
Farrow spoke to Jada Tuesday, who told him, “I would like to see justice. Justice in full effect and that’s it. It’s wonderful about the arrests, but I’m just grateful and thankful for everyone who followed and supported me.”
While the 16-year-old has gained the support of thousands of people online, she still feels abandoned by her ‘community.’ She says people too often believe what they hear on the internet – rather than the solid facts. Her attacker admitted his role on Twitter just days after the incident, but Jada is still facing the shame of victim-blaming.
Jada said the same classmates who circulated photos of her rape are still not very supportive: “From my community, there’s very little support still, such as the teenagers, but as adults, they’re very supportive. And people outside of my community are very supportive.” When Farrow asked what she’d learned from going through such a public ordeal, she replied, “I learned that some people have hearts and some people just go with what they hear.”
Jada said she does want to be a voice for rape survivors, and hopes to go to pharmacy college.
Watch the video of her interview with Farrow here.
SOURCE: MSNBC | VIDEO CREDIT: MSNBC
