Please stop telling Survivors that "men wouldnât go through the trouble of dressing up as women just to abuse women." Weâve heard it too many times

Image credit: @5uffragette
Please stop telling Survivors that “men wouldnât go through the trouble of dressing up as women just to abuse women.”
Weâve heard it too many times. Weâve heard it from people who mean well, and weâve heard it from people trying to gaslight us.
But hereâs the truth:
Men have gone through great lengthsâcarefully, deliberately, and repeatedlyâto gain access to women and girls in order to abuse us.
Theyâve gone to school.
Theyâve earned degrees.
Theyâve infiltrated sacred spaces.
Theyâve put on collars, badges, and uniforms.
Theyâve posed as helpers, healers, lovers, feminists, and allies.
Theyâve gone as far as they needed to goâbecause abuse is not about desire. Itâs about control. Itâs about access. Itâs about entitlement.
If you still believe that “a man wouldn’t go that far”…
Let this list be your wake-up call.
đłď¸ 50 Roles Men Have Used to Gain Access to Women for Abuse
Priest
Pastor
Youth Minister
Police Officer
Teacher
Principal
Coach
Guidance Counselor
Foster Parent
Stepfather
Uncle
Father
Social Worker
School Bus Driver
Camp Counselor
Correctional Officer
GYN/OB
Nurse
Massage Therapist
Dentist
Personal Trainer
Photographer
Modeling Scout
Talent Agent
Film Director
Billionaire Philanthropist
University Professor
Department Chair
Roommate
Co-worker
Boss
Uber Driver
Food Delivery Person
Home Repairman
Security Guard
Shelter Volunteer
Nonprofit Leader
Domestic Violence Advocate (yes, even here)
Trans Rights Activist (someânot all, but yes, some)
Feminist Ally
Online âSafe Spaceâ Moderator
OnlyFans/Adult Content Creator posing as a woman
Influencer or YouTuber
The point is this:
Predators go wherever the access is easiest.
They go wherever womenâs boundaries are weakest.
They go wherever they can hide in plain sight.
And yes, some of them absolutely do dress up, perform, or present themselves in any way they need to if it means gaining unfiltered access to women and children’s spaces, bodies, and trust.
Survivors know this.
Weâve lived this.
And we will not be shamed, silenced, or dismissed for raising the alarm.
Because our safety comes first.
Not someone elseâs costume.
Not someone elseâs feelings.
Our safety. Period.
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Creating Safe Spaces: Encouraging Open Discussions About Personal Security
Truth Heals: Why Forcing Survivors to Lie About Identity is Harmful
Gaslighting with a Grin: What Covert Bullying Really Looks Like
Letâs Not Confuse Two Different Struggles: Jim Crow and Sex-Based Boundaries Are Not the Same
Donât Erase Us to Include Others: The Cost of Confusing Oppressions