During an interview with Esquire magazine, actress and UN Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson (I love you, Hermione!) spoke about her experiences of sexual harassment and how they are commonly faced by most women.

“I’ve had my arse slapped as I’ve left a room. I’ve felt scared walking home. I’ve had people following me,” she said. “I don’t talk about these experiences much, because coming from me they’ll sound like a huge deal and I don’t want this to be about me, but most women I know have experienced it and worse… this is unfortunately how it is. It’s so much more pervasive than we acknowledge. It shouldn’t be an acceptable fact of life that women should be afraid.”

I am sorry to hear about the harassment and assault she has experienced and I am so grateful to her for speaking out and for bringing attention to the fact that this is a widespread problem.