On a bright sunny day in Washington, D.C. Jeffrey Epstein survivors revealed their dark inhumane stories of sexual abuse. In doing so during a Capitol Hill news conference, these courageous women pleaded with the House of Representatives to release all unclassified material related to the Epstein case.
The survivors effectively read statements full of emotion. They sounded authentic, yet they surely rehearsed the statements before stepping to the microphone. Their approach flied in the face of some communication advisors who believe reading statements word for word diminishes their emotional impact. We disagree with that advice.
Survivor Anouska De Georgiou provided an excellent example of reading an emotional statement effectively. She checked her emotions and delivered a powerful message, as you will see in the clip below.
Did De Georgiou’s reading of her statement diminish her authenticity? We don’t think so. Early in this clip she paused briefly to maintain her composure, something we recommend. De Georgiou’s credibility remained intact as she demanded accountability. Her ability to make some eye contact added to her effectiveness and authenticity.
We doubt De Georgiou could have pulled this off without practicing the statement numerous times. We recommend rehearsing a statement at least three times in full voice in front of a mirror if one is available. We also advise clients to type statements in 20-point font, double-spaced to make it easier to read.
Follow these recommendations and you will likely succeed in making powerful statements in difficult situations.