I’ve Been Raped; Fired for Not Sleeping With My Boss: Jane Fonda

The Hollywood star talks about being sexually victimised and the changing face of feminism.

In a recent interview with Brie Larson, veteran Hollywood star Jane Fonda has revealed that she was sexually abused and raped as a child. The actor shared shocking details of her life that eventually led her to be a feminist in her own right.

I’ve been raped, I’ve been sexually abused as a child and I’ve been fired because I wouldn’t sleep with my boss and I always thought it was my fault; that I didn’t do or say the right thing.

Jane Fonda, Actor

The Toll of Patriarchy on the Younger Generation

I know young girls who’ve been raped and didn’t even know it was rape. They think, “It must have been because I said ‘no’ the wrong way”.

On Men Being Raised in a Toxic Notion of Masculinity

I grew up in the ’50s and it took me a long time to apply feminism to my life. The men in my life were wonderful, but victims of a (patriarchal) belief system. I felt diminished. Eventually I decided I wasn’t going to give up who I was in order to please the man I was with. I became an embodied feminist when I was single and saw Eve Ensler perform The Vagina Monologues. While I was laughing, my feminism carried from my head into my DNA. It took a long time, though, because I was brought up with the disease to please.

The Changing Face of Revolution

In the ’60s and ’70s, protests were mostly led by men and there was a macho edge to it. Activism didn’t feel as loving as it does now it’s women-led. I think that’s what’s made the difference. I mean, you saw the incredible signs (at the recent Women’s March) – whether it was for reproductive rights, or health for the disabled, or LGBTQ, they’re all issues that make up democracy.

Breaking Free From the Reins of Misogyny

One of the great things the women’s movement has done is to make us realise that rape and abuse is not our fault. We were violated and it’s not right.

(Source: the Edit)