A Wickedly Evil and Shocking Statistic

11.2 billion views on TikTok

Hello and welcome!

It’s been another busy week although the weather here in the UK has been absolutely atrocious with rain, rain and yes, more rain. And it’s supposed to be the summer! It won’t be long before the evenings start to draw in and we approach Autumn or the Fall. It has been pretty depressing - cold, wet and dreary - and not like summer at all.

I watched a fascinating programme on Chanel 4 this week called Suranne Jones, Investigating Witch Trials. It was fascinating and along the way, Suranne interviewed some fascinating people, one of whom was the activist and feminine writer, Laura Bates. She spoke about how witches, or women who were accused of being witches, were tortured by being pricked with an instrument throughout the night for days on end until eventually, they went delirious and began to hallucinate. Whatever they said was written down and used as evidence against them as a confession. She then made an interesting analogy about young women today being tortured by misogynistic behaviour on social media. If somebody uploads an indecent image without their consent, either through using an image they have taken or by making one by using deep fakes, then an algorithm-driven frenzy could keep them awake all night as they worry about the consequences. And then she mentioned the statistic at the top of this post. I don’t want to mention a name because it will only perpetuate interest in them, but suffice to say that the person who garnered all these views on TikTok is an extreme misogynist. The very thought that 11.6 billion views can be racked up by such a disgusting topic is beyond me. And quite frankly, very worrying.

In Investigating the Witch Trials, Suranne Jones was visibly moved at the end of the interview and said she felt upset and very, very uneasy. It was compelling viewing and a fascinating topic which had a far greater reach than I had first thought. It wasn’t just about witches. It went way beyond that and explored how people have been persecuted over the centuries. In an interview with The Standard newspaper she said:

“We always think that the witch trials and the legacy of the witch trials is about women,” she says, “because that's what we've been taught. Actually, it's about marginalised communities. It's about anyone who feels like they are fighting the patriarchy. It's about pushing out anyone that doesn't fit a societal norm.”

I think Suranne Jones is one of our finest actors and it was clear that she felt passionately about uncovering the truth and was shocked to discover that the events at the Salem witch trials in 1692 and 1693 still affect women today. The overturning in June 2022 by the Supreme Court of the 1973 Roe v Wade landmark case for the right of a woman to terminate her pregnancy was as shocking as it was far-reaching. Historic legal precedents were quoted to support the Court’s decision, including those of Matthew Hale, the Judge whose ruling made spectral evidence admissible 300 years ago at the Salem witch trials.

If it was the last moment I was to live, God knows I am innocent.

This was a quote on a memorial in Salem, Massachusetts.

I feel incredibly fortunate and have great respect for Suranne Jones for highlighting the injustices that women have suffered over the years.

So, what have I been up to this week? Well, apart from working in a very busy office for four days, I tried to play golf one evening to relax, but it got rained off. Which turned out to be the best thing that happened all week. My friend and I sat in the clubhouse, warm and cosy as the rain fell from a leaden sky, laughing and regaling tales that warmed the cockles of my heart. I even got a fit of the giggles when she told me one doggy tale, but that’s for another post. I went home feeling uplifted and rejuvenated, so thank you, Karen.

Books I have been reading:-

This was an excellent read. Very uplifting, empowering and poignant. Zoe Richards is definitely an author to watch out for. This was her debut novel and it was absolutely stunning and a brilliant book. I wholeheartedly recommend it.

And while we’re on the subject of books…you can pre-order mine here! Thank you to all of you wonderful people who have pre-ordered it already (my publisher keeps me updated on sales) and for those of you who haven’t ordered it yet, what are you waiting for?! 😊Reserve your copy at Waterstones, Foyles or WHSmith.

I still pinch myself to think that I started this amazing journey here on Substack by posting two chapters a week. That was just over two years ago and now it is an actual, physical book! Yes, there has been a lot of heartache along the way, but I made it to the finishing line.

Have a great week and thank you for being here - you will never know how much it means to me that people not only enjoy my writing but they pay me too. Amazing!

Take care,

Rosy.