Grey's Anatomy is Setting the Tone for the Future of Television

If you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan, you’re probably used to the emotional rollercoaster of each episode that touches your heart and brings you to tears. If you’re not a fan, but enjoy a television series that makes you laugh, cry, and everything in between, then Grey’s might be the show for you. The powerful episode, “Silent All These Years,” was done in typical Grey’s fashion with scenes packed with tear jerking moments. The hour-long episode addressed some rather difficult topics such as consent, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Here are some reasons why Grey’s Anatomy and its producers are setting the tone for the future of television.

They tackled a sensitive topic to raise awareness about the reality of our world. After Dr. Jo Karev (formerly Dr. Jo Wilson), a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her ex-husband, discovers that she is product of her birth mother’s rape, she makes a special connection with Abby, a patient who was sexually assaulted and beaten outside of a bar. Through Abby, the episode depicts the wave of emotion and feelings that victims go through. Will anyone believe me? What will they say about what I was wearing when it happened? Will the evidence be pushed aside? Will I see justice? The reality of our world today is that if you yourself haven’t experienced sexual assault or domestic violence, you probably know someone who has. In the United States, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men have been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. This is not just a statistic. These are actual people - mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, grandparents, spouses, friends - whose lives are forever impacted.

They took a stand to show victims of domestic violence and sexual assault that they are not alone. It takes incredible bravery for those who are affected by domestic violence and sexual assault to come forward and tell their story. The reality is, most of these individuals often feel alone. They feel as if no one will believe them, no one will help them, or even that their abuser won’t be punished. There was a moment in the episode that took the entire audience by surprise. A moment where dozens of women lined the hall to support Abby as she was taken to surgery. A moment where doctors, nurses, technicians, and administrators took the time to help a patient in need without question. And let’s not forget the most moving line in the entire episode, “What you did today with Abby, that was not protocol. But it should be.”

If you haven’t seen the most moving scene in television history, watch it here.

Grey’s Anatomy opened the eyes of each of its viewers to a harsh reality that surrounds all of us. It happens right here in our own community. If you or someone you know is in the Baltimore, Maryland area and is affected by sexual assault or domestic violence, GBMC HealthCare's Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) and Domestic Violence (DV) Program is here to help. We are here 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and our services are always free and confidential. You are not alone. Visit www.gbmc.org/safe-dv for more resources and information.