Rape Culture

Sex. The word draws an interesting reaction from most Americans. Despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of adults and adolescents are sexually active, we live in a society where saying the word "sex" shocks and appalls those nearby. It is a taboo subject, and the general population impresses an overwhelming sense of shame to those who are open about their sexual proclivities.

These negative feelings, and the unwillingness to discuss the topic, has spawned a few wholly unacceptable sentiments. Particularly towards victims of rape.

The topic of rape is uncomfortable for everything, it garners a similar response to saying "sex" in public, but now with more heated responses. Over the last two years, several states have approached the subject of rape as pertaining to abortion. I found myself disgusted as a litany of insensitive, uneducated statements were made by elected officials.

"Legitimate rape." 

With those two words I lost faith in my legislative system. That anything so ignorant could be said and not immediately dismissed sent my blood boiling.

As a woman, I am not unbiased in my opinions- nor do I believe anyone should be when discussing this topic. Each and every person knows men and women- and they should be defending the people they know. We should not be chastising someone who has gone through this experience. We should be reprimanding and educating anyone claiming "they were asking for it."

But that's not what America is doing. No, America is teaching little girls that they need to cover everything up, because wearing what we should be free to wear may send the boys into a frenzy. And America is giving the boys the freedom to do so with little to no consequences. Many methods of sexual education in public schools have a "no means no" section in their curriculum- but this is rendered ineffective by politicians placing blame on the woman.

This is insulting to men and women alike. This is taking away women's rights to be free and safe, and it is assuming that men are animals driven by their basest urges. Similarly, it is effectively discrediting any claims male victims of rape have.

Read this comic.

This comic sums up how disgusting America is with regards to females and their right to display their body as they so choose. As a female, and not a particularly attractive one, I admit that it is sometimes nice to have someone appreciate a physical aspect of me. What is not nice is to be blatantly groped in public simply because I was there.

Of course, this comic also shows the other side- why females should be *humbled* by the fact that a man would deign to recognize a female as a good potential mate. This is not a comic about rape, but of the ideas that allow rape culture to flourish.

Elizabeth Smart recently spoke out about rape culture in America at Johns Hopkins University. Having been abducted, held hostage, and raped repeatedly, she is now speaking out against many cultural, religious, and teaching models. She felt shame after going through this traumatic experience; she felt judged when she should only have been comforted by being home and surrounded by her family.

Smart is primarily advocating against the "abstinence-only" model. In theory, this method is intended as a scare tactic to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. However, in reality this method also encourages the belief that one is worthless if they participate in fornication.

Everyone goes through a time when they should be able to go to an adult and ask them questions about sex. They should have the expectation that the adult will be able to direct them towards factual, unbiased answers. Continuing to deprive them of this will only continue this cycle and create more victims.

It is estimated that more than half of the rapes that occur per year go unreported because the men and women feel so much shame and judgment from their peers. Sexual ignorance leads to this rate being higher, teen pregnancy rates increasing, abortion rates follow suit.