her oscar nominated song about sexual assault. 9news crime and justice reporter anastasiya bolton scholz us what the empowerment anthem -- shows us what the empowerment anthem could mean for the future of sexual assault education and prevention. >> i was feeling extremely unsafe. >> reporter: it takes brave people to publicly talk about surviving sexual assault on any stage, be that here in colorado or on an international stage like the oscars. tonight. >> reporter: this year the awards featured vice president joe biden, lady gaga and survivors of sexual assault, a topic advocates say many people want to avoid. >> this is an issue that has so long been kept quiet and in opening up. >> reporter: carmen carter runs the blue bench, a sexual assault. >> people listen when it's somebody that they have some respect for and they know them in a different way.