POV Honors Terry Crews
We have witnessed an incredible amount of survivors who have come forward and courageously shared their stories of sexual harassment and sexual assault, that we have heard over and over again in the media. Terry Crews is one of those voices. Inspired by the bravery of millions of survivors saying #metoo, he wanted them to know he supported them and that, “it happened to me too.” He exposed the power and control that is exerted through sexual assault and harassment and the toxic masculinity that dominates our culture and allows for sexual violence to occur and go unaddressed. Using his platform, his commitment to addressing the issue of sexual violence, his support for survivors and his own story, he raised his voice and the voice of survivors on the Senate floor when he gave his testimony supporting additional civil rights protections across the nation under the Sexual Assault Survivor Bill of Rights; advocating for it to be enacted in all 50 states. In a matter of minutes his testimony encompassed the urgency of addressing toxic masculinity, rape culture, rights of victims of sexual violence and supporting survivors.
“I heard time and time again about the rights that my predator had, but I was never told about the rights that I had as a survivor. And that was the wake up call that I knew I had to be a part of what’s happening here today in regards to the sexual assault survivor bills of rights.”
Actor. Author. Designer. Former Athlete. artist.
Activist. Advocate. Survivor. Silence Breaker. Voice.
For years, we’ve known Terry Crews as the hilarious and charismatic actor, not only known for his build, but more importantly, his strong presence. Beyond who he is as an actor and artist, Crews has used his platform and inspiration from his own personal experience as a survivor of sexual assault and a child who witnessed domestic violence to address toxic masculinity and the critical role that men play in ending these types of violence. Recognized by TIME Magazine as a Person of the Year/Silence Breaker, his impact has only grown through his courage and willingness to be vulnerable. He consciously makes the connection to behaviors he exhibited because of witnessing domestic violence and experiencing trauma as a child. As someone who has been able to acknowledge how toxic masculinity has permeated his life, he has demonstrated how much he recognizes the impact of trauma and what a leader, warrior and advocate he is.