Emily Ratajkowski Gets Candid About Her Experience with Sexual Assault
Supermodel, Emily Ratajkowski, recently opened up about being sexually assaulted at a photoshoot back in 2012.
In a raw New York Magazine essay written by Ratajkowski herself, the model and actress accused photographer, Jonathan Leder, of both sexually assaulting her and publishing the nude photos of her that were taken at the shoot without her consent.
The essay titled Buying Myself Back: When Does a Model Own Her Own Image? was published this week, and both fans and celebrities are showing their support for Ratajkowski by commending her bravery for speaking up about something so personal.
Wept at Ratajkowski’s essay. The dissociation she had to undergo to survive trauma at a young age. How men violate women in so many ugly ways, over & over. How the media will report on her essay as a allegation of sexual assault, as if it weren’t also a triumph & beginning.
— petra (@softcoffin) September 16, 2020
In the essay, Ratajkowski recalls being in Leder’s New York apartment as a 20-year-old up-and-coming model trying to get her start in the business. She says Leder insisted that she do the photoshoot both nude and in lingerie and was persistent about her drinking the red wine he had to offer.
Soon after is when Ratajkowski says the sexual assault took place. The photos were then published in 2016 in a book titled Emily Ratajkowski, which she says she did not consent to. Imperial Publishing, who represents Leder, has responded denying the assault and said Ratajkowski is just trying to retaliate against him after she was unable to stop the publication of the book.
That Emily Ratajkowski essay is incredible. Really really recommend you read it
— nevie nicks 🦋 (@joydividing) September 16, 2020
Ratajkowski says sharing her story with the world has helped her in her healing process, and she’s both grateful and overwhelmed with the love and support she’s received since the essay was published. She’s also glad that she’s been able to help others who’ve had similar experiences to heal and open up about their struggles.
“All these men, some of whom I knew intimately and others I’d never met, were debating who owned an image of me.”
Emily Ratajkowski’s personal essay is brave, heartbreaking and empowering. I hope she continues to write. https://t.co/5WKB0q0eEJ
— Emma Rose Sandri (@emmarosesandri) September 15, 2020
Be sure to read Ratajkowski’s gut-wrenching essay and continue to have open and honest discussions in your communities about sexual assault and consent.
Writer | Tweet me @itsjadak
