(iryeong.tattoo, 2023)

However, to survivors of rape, this is a powerful symbol of strength; she  protected herself against enemies and threats. Medusa has since become a symbol of anxiety about women who challenge male power. In 2021, thousands of sexual assault survivors displayed their tattoos of Medusa on TikTok for the #MeToo SA movement, creating a viral trend that encourages victims to tell their stories, and lets those who suffer in silence know that they are not alone.

As therapist Anita Astley explains in an interview with Parade, “I believe the Medusa tattoo is the perfect visual depiction of a survivor’s journey from pain to resilience, strength, empowerment and self-preservation—a protective symbol, as she has the ability to destroy those who are a threat to her being.” Astley shares that Medusa has helped remove stigma and shame for her clients and other survivors, along with other immense, commonly experienced emotions such as guilt, self-loathing and self-blame (Sager, 2025). 

Medusa is so much more than a story or a myth. She lives in the women who have been shamed into silence, disenfranchised grief and unexpressed self-guilt, simply because they spoke their truth. Simply by listening and believing without blame, we can change the future of our society for the better.