Ever since women have come forward to accuse Donald Trump of sexual assault, social media has been in a frenzy. I’d like to think I live in a world where people would applaud women for coming forward with stories of sexual abuse and where courage is something that should be respected.

Yet the hashtag “#nextfaketrumpvictim” has popped up in addition to #repealthenineteenth in response a new poll that shows if females didn’t vote in this election then Donald Trump would win.

According to the Office on Violence Against Women (a part of the U.S. Department of Justice), less than seven percent of all sexual assaults are falsified and most experts say that number is closer to five percent.

This means that 95 percent of all women who report being assaulted aren’t lying. The problem with all the negativity surrounding the females who have said they are victims is that other women see the reaction. This is the catalyst behind the fact that 63 percent of all sexual assaults are never reported.

America seems to have a problem when it comes to accepting that sexual assault is a real construct. We as a country believe that there is somehow something to be gained as a victim of sexual assault.

Somehow the “money” or “fame” that comes with telling the world you have been subjected to a loss of dignity in a manner so horrifyingly heinous seems glamourous enough that people assume victims enjoy coming out with their story.

However, what part of telling strangers (including family members who might not know) that someone has sexually assaulted you is thrilling? I’ve never met anyone who would enjoy having the public learn about one of the worst moments of their life. This is especially true when it comes to sexual assault.

When CNN reported last year that I was part of the 25 percent of American women who would be sexually assaulted at some point in their lives, I got messages from people saying that since I never officially filed a report, I must have been a “typical college girl who regretted my actions at a party.”

If I had to rank one of the worst moments of my life, it would have to be having my father finding out that information on CNN, but apparently Trump supporters assume women enjoy the attention that comes with the status of being a victim.

Not believing victims of sexual assault is a never ending cycle. In early November 2014 it was reported that Bill Cosby had been accused of sexual assault.

I was still in high school at the time, and I remember a member of the administration was talking about the reported rapes with me and said, “These women are just coming forward for the money and because he’s an intelligent man who has everything they could gain.” You don’t forget a statement like that.

Then there was the incident involving Brock Turner this summer. Even though the proof of the rape was overwhelming, his legal team (and many members of the internet) still focused on shaming the victim who was found unconscious behind a dumpster with Brock Turner on top of her limp body.

I could pay my college tuition if I had a penny for every time I read comments or questions which included “What was she wearing? Was she a virgin? If she didn’t want to be raped, then she shouldn’t have been drinking.”

Last time I checked, all human beings are owed dignity and respect regardless of their life choices. But members of the internet circus don’t think about that. Therefore, anyone who comes forward with their story is subject to merciless harassment and comments so unfathomably cruel.

Perhaps one day we will end the stigma that comes with sexual assault. Women (and men) should have the right to be believed when they find the bravery to come forward.

When we collectively begin to accept the stories of victims, then perhaps more people will come forward and those reprehensible human beings who dare to think that they can sexually harm another person will be brought to justice.

Until then rape culture will continue and men like Donald Trump will run for President thinking that they can do anything to women and get away with it. It is time to foster a culture which respects people who refuse to be silenced. It is time to stop shaming victims.

We can empower women to change the world by believing them and therefore encouraging them to be brave, not by calling them cowards for stepping forward with such a monumental announcement.