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Michaela Coel Dedicates I May Destroy You to Sexual Assault Survivors as She Accepts Writing Emmy

Michaela Coel Dedicates I May Destroy You to Sexual Assault Survivors as She Accepts Writing Emmy

Michaela Coel is officially an Emmy winner.

The 33-year-old star won the award for outstanding writing for a limited series, movie, or dramatic special at Sunday's 73rd Primetime Emmy Awards for her BBC/HBO series, I May Destroy You.

She addressed her powerful acceptance speech specifically to her fellow writers, before dedicating the show to all survivors of sexual assault.

"I just wrote a little something for writers really," she began. "Write the title that scares you, that makes you feel uncertain, that isn't comfortable. I dare you in a world that entices us to browse through the lives of others to help us better determine how we feel about ourselves, and to in turn fill the need to be constantly visible."

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She continued, "For visibility these days seems to equate to success. Do not be afraid to disappear from it, from us for a while, and see what comes to you in the silence."

Michaela Coel
Michaela Coel

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"I dedicate this story to every single survivor of sexual assaults," concluded Coel, who also earned a nod for outstanding actress in a limited series or a movie.

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In addition to writing I May Destroy You, the British actress created, co-directed, executive produced and starred in the show, which explores a journey of personal identity while also tackling the subject of consent and what happens to someone after they are sexually assaulted.

73rd Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals
73rd Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals

Getty

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The main character Arabella's arc is also loosely based on Coel's own life, after she was raped in 2016.

"I really don't know if the show is trying to answer a question about rape or get people to ask a question about rape," she told PEOPLE last year. "I'm definitely showing it, and I guess I'm asking us to think about it."

"There's no definitive," she continued. "I'm wanting the audience to think and actually think beyond the act of rape. As you go forward in this series, you'll realize there is a lot more going on. I'm just constantly asking the audience to have introspection to think and try being curious beyond our own understanding."

The 73rd Emmy Awards, hosted by Cedric the Entertainer, are airing live from 8-11 p.m. ET on CBS.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.