One woman, One diary
Jesus Figueroa
Writer
Bullying in all it’s forms takes many lives every
year. In October or 2012, I became aware of “Slut:
A Documentary Film” and reached out to the person
in charge of the film Emily Lindin. Through brief
conversations I became aware of “The Unslut Project”
which caught my attention.
The documentary sets tell the stories of not only
victims of slut-shaming or sexual assault which have
died due to the bullying, but also the stories of those
who have lived through it and look to make a difference
by sharing their stories.
Seventeen-year-old Canadian Amanda Todd had just
been on the news for committing suicide due to sexual
bullying and this project seamed to be worth backing
in hopes that the words of the courageous Lindin
would help others get through a similar ordeal.
Bullying is a growing epidemic which as is takes
the lives of many people every year, most being of a
young age.
Lindin herself started sharing her diary entries from
when she was being bullied and does so without
censoring the content only the names to prevent any
backlash it may have on her or her family.
At first it was just her diary entries which were
posted up periodically, but since more people have
started sharing their personal stories and “The Unslut
Project” has become a support group for anyone who
has been affected by bullying.
“Slut: A Documentary Film” started on Kickstarter
where Lindin was able to raise almost $20,0000 to
fund the documentary.
Through the process thisfunktional.com ran a post to
support the film and get the word out there, this film
had to be made.
Throughout the process Lindin has posted updates
on unslutproject.com about the production process.
The documentary has had professional psychiatrist,
families of victims and victim’s themselves participate
by talking about the growing problem of slut-shaming
and sexual bullying.
One such victim Allyson Pereira has been speaking
about slut-shaming and has been an advocate against
bullying and sexting since hearing about other girls
committing suicide.
“I heard about Jessie Logan and Hope Witsell’s
suicides and I felt like it was my moral obligation
to speak out in the hopes of saving another girl from
making the same mistake I did,” Pereira said. “No one
should have to die because of bullying and no one
should be harassed and assaulted because a topless
picture is leaked,” She said.
Pereira is just one of the people featured in the
documentary and continues to try and help others.
“However, I am still not over the picture and what
happened to me and I don’t know if I ever will be,”
Pereira said. “But being able to go nationwide and
speak to middle and high schoolers and have them
message me saying that I have saved their lives helps
me continue to tell my story,” she said.
Being able to be part of the documentary, Pereira
hopes she can reach out to not just others who go
through what she has , but the people who continue to
victimize those people.
“I chose to be a part of the Unslut documentary
because I think that society victim blames and it’s
time that we as a generation stand up and say that it is
wrong. I’m not innocent; I have been appalled at what
some women wear, how they talk, or who they hook
up with,” Pereira said. “But I am woman enough to
stand up and say that it is time for a change. Women
need to stop beating each other down. It’s time we
defend each other, love each other, and support each
other,” she said.
OFFICIAL SITE:
www.unslutproject.com