Trigger warning: This piece contains mentions of sexual assault and rape.

A couple of months ago, I started struggling with sleep. Then came insomnia, tension, headaches, intrusive thoughts and nightmares . . . . I also realized that I was avoiding people and the “outside world” in general. I noticed there was a theme to my nightmares and intrusive thoughts, and that it correlated with something I had been hearing in the news for a while: The Cornell 7 case.

As the news focus switched to the midterm election and the gang rape story of Jane Doe at a fraternity house at Cornell University fell to the wayside, I started to feel more calm but did not immediately feel better. A lot of the physical symptoms from consistently being exposed to the news of this gruesome attack of a young woman do not get immediately switched off when the “trigger” is removed. Bodies that carry significant trauma and individuals with PTSD will continue to struggle with negative symptoms days, months, years and even decades after a traumatic event or traumatizing period.

Then came  the news of Russell Brand, actor and comedian, being found guilty of rape and sexual assault of several women. Brand had been making waves by admitting to his sinful past and claiming to have converted to Christianity. He was photographed arriving at court with a Bible in hand. My question is: Do faith, admission and repentance lead to equal freedom from accountability? 

In my case, I am sad to say that my assailants were never held accountable for what they did to me. I trust that ultimately justice is God’s and that being listed as a Jane Doe was not the path for me to seek peace and safety. However, as a Christian, I believe that accountability still plays an essential role in ensuring everyone’s safety and peace. Although admittance of responsibility and guilt are good steps a perpetrator can make, regardless of their faith, accountability helps ensure that others in the community feel there will be consequences if trust is broken, especially when things of such sensitive nature.

Part of the reason why I feel so uneasy lately is the realization that many do not understand the experience of being a “Jane Doe.” A “Jane Doe” is a woman whose name will not be on the public record for all to see and judge. Yet her story will live on and though it may garner judgment from some, hopefully it will inspire many, many more. I stand with those who, despite not wanting their names to be public, are brave enough to stand against their aggressors to bring them to justice. I also stand with those who have not yet come forward and pray that regardless of their decision, they find strength and peace to continue their life journey. I too stand with the brave ones that are named and have named those who hurt them, which opens a way for all those hoping for a safer and more just future.

I also know that God stands with us regardless of the place we are in our healing journeys. Jesus was a perfect example of an ambassador of God’s love who stood with those seeking healing, justice and peace. The Bible has many examples of unnamed folks, Jane Does, if you will, that were lifted as faithful and even brave followers of God. The following are five examples of Jane Does from the New Testament and where you can find their stories in Scripture. Think of them as brave women who were loved, despite having tragic stories and being unnamed. 

1. The Jane Doe at the well

John 4:1–42 narrates the initial interaction Jesus has with a Samaritan woman at a well, all the way to the aftermath of her telling the townspeople what Jesus had told her. It was because of her initial testimony that they were drawn to Jesus. She was ashamed of her relational status, yet Jesus offered no judgment and spoke to her despite social taboos.

2. The Jane Doe who anointed Jesus

The synoptic gospels (Luke 7:36–50; Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9) tell the story of a sinner who got down at Jesus’ feet and washed his feet with her tears, dried them with her hair, and anointed them with expensive perfume. Although the disciples looked down at her for this “waste” of resources, Jesus validated her actions in front of all that questioned her.

3. The Jane Doe that almost got stoned

John 8:1–11 recounts how, with the intention of testing Jesus, a woman who was “caught in adultery” was brought to the temple courts where Jesus was so that he could decide her fate. According to Moses’ law, the punishment mandated was stoning. However, Jesus challenged anyone free of sin to throw the first stone. As the crowd recognized none present can initiate, they dispersed and Jesus told the woman that he too will not condemn her and that she should leave her life of sin. Notice in this story that it is only the woman who is brought in for judgment.

4. The Jane Doe with the bleeding issue

All three synoptic gospels (Mark 5:25–34; Matthew 9:20–22; Luke 8:43–48) describe an interaction Jesus had with a woman who suffered from a bleeding issue for 12 years. For many interpreters, this was incredibly shameful and made her unsuitable for human contact. Yet, in her desperation to find healing, she reaches for Jesus and he feels her tug. Though culturally inappropriate, Jesus understands and asserts: “Daughter, your faith has healed you.”

5. The Jane Does at the courtyard

These are interesting passages: Matthew 26:69–71; Mark 14:66–69; Luke 22:56–57. Although the focus of them tends to be on Peter denying Jesus as foretold the night before, I am including them for a slightly different reason. The passages mention two servant girls: one speaks to Peter directly and one speaks to others around them. These two unnamed girls are speaking the truth, and it is a grown man who has been chosen as an disciple by the Messiah, the one denying the truth. I believe the lesson here is that we should believe women and girls, despite who they are accusing of lying.