Journalist, advice columnist, and author, E. Jean Carroll has achieved a significant victory in her continuous tracking of justice. Carroll’s efforts to seek justice after being sexually assaulted by Former U.S. President Donald John Trump resulted in a positive outcome. Trump was found guilty of sexually abusing E. Carroll in a luxury department store dressing room in Manhattan during the mid-1990s, by a Manhattan federal jury. Read known facts detailed here. CNN reports that the federal jury awarded her $5 million for battery and defamation, validating her accusations. Former President Donald Trump keeps silent after consistently and publicly denying the accusations of sexual misconduct. The Manhattan federal jury’s verdict not only holds Trump responsible for his inappropriate behavior but sends an inspirational and motivating message to sexual abuse victims asserting that their efforts to earn justice matter.
The trial has gained intense public attention and interest, highlighting a remarkable mark in the proceeding #MeToo movement. The “Me Too” movement’s dedications are creating pathways for healing, justice, action, and leadership [metoomvmt.org]. The movement aims to provide a healing journey and professional aid for victims and/or survivors whose lives were changed entirely and drastically by sexual violence.
Carroll, a victim of non-consensual sexual interaction among more than 18 women who have accused Donald Trump of sexual misconduct, came forward with her allegations after Trump became the 45th President of the United States in 2016. Carrol demonstrated her courage and solidarity with other victims of sexual harassment, encouraging and inspiring them to raise their voices against injustice. In her memoir What Do We Need Men For? A Modest Proposal, Carroll conveys her trauma and experience of sexual abuse and exploitation by multiple men. Carroll grants her inceptive hesitancy to come forward, affirming, "Also, I am a coward".
Trump publicly rebutted the allegations, suggesting that she was deceiving to promote her book. Regardless of facing rebuttals, counter statements, and threats, Carroll resumes vindicating her account, referring to the larger concern of sexual harassment and the mental health-related challenges victims often face before, during, and after speaking out against powerful individuals.
As the trial concludes, her accomplishment draws attention to the ongoing fight against sexual harassment and assault. Carroll’s resilience has made her an inspiration to other victims of sexual abuse and reminds the significance of holding those in powerful positions responsible for their actions.
Edited by: Melisa Altıntaş and Yağmur Ece Nisanoğlu
Works Cited
Valle, Lauren del. “Jury Finds Donald Trump Sexually Abused E. Jean Carroll in Civil Case, Awards Her $5 Million | CNN Politics.” CNN, 10 May 2023, edition.cnn.com/2023/05/09/politics/e-jean-carroll-trump-lawsuit-battery-defamation-verdict/index.html.
“E Jean Carroll Files for New Damages after Trump’s CNN Town Hall Remarks.” The Guardian, 22 May 2023, www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/may/22/e-jean-carroll-donald-trump-cnn-town-hall-damages.
Weiser, Benjamin. “E. Jean Carroll Seeks New Damages from Trump for Comments on CNN.” The New York Times, 22 May 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/05/22/nyregion/carroll-trump-cnn-defamation.html.
Rosenfeld, Alexi. “Donald Trump Found Liable For Sexual Abuse And Defamation Of E. Jean Carroll.” Getty Images, Getty Images North America, 9 May 2023, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/magazine-columnist-e-jean-carroll-leaves-after-her-civil-news-photo/1488653406?adppopup=true. Accessed 11 June 2023.
Keith, Stephanie. “Closing Arguments Begin In E. Jean Carroll’s Rape Allegation Trial Against Donald Trump.” Getty Images, Getty Images North America, 8 May 2023, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/jean-carroll-leaves-following-her-trial-at-manhattan-news-photo/1253173472?adppopup=true. Accessed 11 June 2023.
Keith, Stephanie. “#MeToo Rally Held Outside Of Trump Tower In Manhattan.” Getty Images, Getty Images North America, 9 Dec. 2017, https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/people-carry-signs-addressing-the-issue-of-sexual-news-photo/888970172?adppopup=true. Accessed 11 June 2023.