Why the Erin Andrews Verdict Is a Victory For All Women

Published on March 8, 2016 at 5:25 PM

Erin Andrews has been through hell over the last seven years. In 2009, a video of the Fox Sports host changing her clothes was uploaded online. Millions of people saw her undress, but she had no idea how the videos were recorded. Then, an FBI investigation revealed that a stalker had secretly recorded her through peepholes in her hotel rooms in Nashville and Columbus, OH, in 2008.

Yesterday, she was awarded $55 million in a civil lawsuit against her stalker (Michael David Barrett) and one of the hotels (Nashville Marriott, part of West End Hotel Partners and Windsor Capital Group). The hotel was found partially to blame for the invasion of privacy because staff gave into Barrett's request to be booked next to her. Barrett was ordered to pay $28.05 million, while was the hotel must pay $26.95 million. Understandably, Erin has struggled with emotional distress and the shame that comes with so many strangers seeing her in a deeply private moment. What's important in this decision, beyond money, is that it's a monumental victory for women everywhere.

Shortly after the trial, Erin shared a touching thanks on Twitter:

pic.twitter.com/2qWWxgVo9U

— Erin Andrews (@ErinAndrews) March 7, 2016

She's also received support online from many women:

@ErinAndrews Good for you! This might not change anything for you but it could change everything when people try this in the future.

— Michael P. Meadows (@Firehound55) March 7, 2016

@ErinAndrews You persevered and thank you for standing strong! You are empowering! 🌹

— Auntie B (@b_auntie) March 7, 2016

Thank you @ErinAndrews for standing for all Women's protection & privacy. Hotels & Businesses must make #Security their number one priority.

— Deb (@DebbieCaplanPR) March 8, 2016

@ErinAndrews thank you for giving your voice to so many girls & women who have come before you & unfortunately those who will come after ❤️

— Jackie Townsend (@JTelphaba6) March 7, 2016

Part of Andrews's triumph is that this is a reminder to the world that sexual abuse and assault is not limited to physical harm — emotional sexual trauma can be just as damaging. More than 17 million people have seen Erin naked without her permission, and while the blame lies ultimately on her stalker, those who watched and shared the video perpetuated her trauma. The hotels that so casually gave her room number, without verification, to her stalker are also to blame.

Mary Elizabeth William summarized the impact of this verdict well on Salon: "if you really seek to destroy a woman, it takes a village." What's more, Erin's triumph is entirely more symbolic than monetary because most of $55 million she was awarded will be contested, be paid to lawyers, and most likely be left unpaid by her stalker.

Protecting women from sexual assault is not only an issue of convicting the predators for committing the crimes, but it's also about ensuring all parties are held accountable for their mistakes. While it's unlikely 17 million people will be pursued for viewing the unauthorized video, Erin's verdict sends a clear message to those who don't protect women's safety.