The cast of Girls speaks out about sexual assault

Lena Dunham dedicates a probing PSAto Stanford rape victim

With the drop of a Tweet on Wednesday, the cast of Girls stirred up a social media frenzy, and underlined a profound political message in the process. Lena Dunham premiered a PSA video of herself, Allison Williams, Jemima Kirke and Zosia Mamet speaking straight-up about sexual assault.

The post directly follows the sentencing of Brock Turner, the Stanford University athlete who received only six months in prison after being convictedof the 2015 rape of an unconscious woman. As the girls line up in solidarity against a stark white background, they relay disturbing statistics on the current state of rape culture. One in five women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime—and 80% of those attacks will be perpetrated by someone the victim is already familiar with. In addition, one in four girls are reportedly sexually abused before the age 18. Speaking simply and directly, the aim of the video is to challenge society’s tendency to shy away from the delicate subject of rape and instead, encourage open support for those affected.

Toward the end of the video, the actresses collectively comment: “While it’s just the four of us here right now, we hope to represent the solidarity and support all survivors should be able to find.” Lena then concludes (in typical controversial fashion) that this “may be the first time four white women can accurately represent anything.”  Though painted with her ever-sarcastic spark, Dunham's comment may indeed have genuine grounding.

In a letter to the courtroom, the victim of the Turner case explained that her story is “not another drunk college hook-up” or the result of “poor decision-making.” In response, the PSA took to social media to amplify this message—sexual issues should no be longer silenced. Whilst Girls deals with all topics surrounding the subject, from drunken mischief to questionable nudity, the video marks the first time the cast have dedicated a broadcast solely to the issue. And with the majority of viewers being at college, or in their early twenties, the PSA is both fitting and necessary.

Originally published in V Magazine