Virginia Giuffre’s tragic death must ignite a bigger debate about why we’re so quick to doubt women, writes Heather Blundell in today’s Notebook

“Is protesting the answer?” asked Virginia Guiffre in the final note to her family, revealed last week. “I don’t know. But we’ve got to start somewhere.”

Her implacable sadness burns through the words, and all doubts the media raised over her story have evaporated. Yet just days beforehand many commentators branded her a mentally ill fantasist because she claimed she had just days to live after a car crash.

Here was a mother who suffered abuse as a young girl before being trafficked for sex as a teenager. Her vulnerability was exploited by manipulators, who continued to crush her even after she found the courage to speak up.

Virginia was a fearless advocate for survivors of sexual abuse who inspired other survivors to come forward. Taking the brave step of waiving her anonymity meant her voice could be heard as well as read. Her tears, now seen, had to be believed. She was a heroine who, right up until the end, exposed her pain to help others.........

© City A.M.