Rape Culture
Trigger Warnings: The following content contains descriptions of sexual assault, sexual abuse, violence, and its relations to rape culture.
What is rape culture?- "Rape Culture is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture. Rape culture is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies, and the glamorization of sexual violence, thereby creating a society that disregards women’s rights and safety", (Marshall University, 2023).
Examples of what is part of rape culture
- Making jokes such as "no means yes, yes means anal".
- Minimizing the trauma the victim endured by making statements such as "boys will be boys".
- Victim blaming or "slut-shaming" the victims by stating "They were asking for it, they shouldn't have worn such revealing clothes, it's their fault for getting drunk at a frat party".
- Objectifying people's bodies.
- Controlling what a person should wear.
- Not educating kids about sexual education where they can learn also learn consent.
- Placing the responsibility on the women to prevent the assault from happening.
- Violating people's privacy examples including sharing intimate media. There have been cases of an individual sharing an intimate photo with their partner, which then gets shared with others without their knowledge. In other cases, the couple will break up and the ex-boyfriend/ex-partner will then share intimate media that was shared in the relationship to the public. This is not only illegal but infamously known as revenge porn.
- Teaching the victim that it's their fault instead of the rapist's.
Why is rape culture an issue?- Rape culture is not only a heavy topic to discuss but it is a relevant topic that has been around for generations. There are attitudes and actions that display the common traits of this culture such as slut-shaming, victim-blaming, sexual harassment, objectifying bodies, misogyny, and more. These traits have been becoming more common in our everyday lives which is only causing more harm for individuals who have been affected by this and others who are at risk of experiencing sexual assault. Not acknowledging this violent culture will only support the perpetrators who commit it.
Facts- According to the National Sexual Assault Hotline, sexual assault happens every 68 seconds leaving 1 in 6 women experiencing an attempted or complete assault.
- Young women age groups ranging from 16 to 19 years old are 4 times more likely of being at risk of being victims of attempted or completed sexual assault.
- Women in age groups ranging from 18 to 24 years old are 3 times more likely of being at risk of sexual violence.
- In men groups, there has been 1 in 33, who've experienced a completed or an attempted assault in their life.
- Transgender college students are at a high risk of sexual violence with 21% of transgender, non-conforming, genderqueer individuals experiencing assault.
- This knowledge shouldn't provoke fear in people, but instead, provoke change. There should never be a normalization for violence, especially sexual violence.
PersonalThis social issue directly affects me because I experienced rape culture growing up and continue to experience it as an adult. There have been situations where I have been sexually harassed and in events where it's made me fearful of being outside. I have experienced sexual assault and become angry knowing that it can happen again if I'm at the wrong place at the wrong time. I would like for there to be a change in our society so that the responsibility of not being assaulted or endangered is no longer placed on us (women, men, non-binary people) and rather have those who commit these violent acts be held accountable for their crimes. I'm advocating for change and would like for there to be a sense of freedom for all individuals without worrying if they're going to be targeted.
I chose this issue because I wanted to bring light onto this issue and hopefully give others a perspective of what it is like to go through this. I would like anyone who has gone through sexual harassment, assault, or similar to know that they're not alone. I find it important for people to start protesting against others who engage in this culture by calling them out and continuing to stand up against it. Ultimately, I would like my project to give courage to those who are against this to unite so that we can demand change for a better future for ourselves, our families, and our children.
The CommunityI interviewed three individuals who wanted to be part of the project by asking them a series of questions:- How would you define rape culture?
- As a child, were you ever warned of certain situations or taught to protect yourself from strangers?
- Can you recall the first time you experienced sexual harassment?
- How often do you find yourself in an uncomfortable or vulnerable situation where protection will be needed?
- What are your thoughts regarding toxic role models with big platforms such as Andrew Tate, spreading misinformation, promoting hate speech, and influencing their audience to follow their ideology?
Garrison S., 25 years old
Rape culture is a society that helps support and/or encourage sexual assault, abuse, and harassment. My family has always taught me how to protect myself at all costs, even if it’s with someone I am dearly close with. I believe the reason they have taught me that is that they have close friends that have encountered sexual abuse. I have never experienced sexual harassment, but I have had friends who’d come up to me and tell me that they have been sexually harassed. I do feel uncomfortable somewhat often outside, by just reading the individual’s body posture and the way they act around me and others. Mr. Tate’s information has given men the idea that “women are no good”, “be the best man out there because most men are weak”, etc. To me personally, that is not the right way to bring out “the man” inside. His choice of words towards women is very untrue and his way of talking to men about “masculinity” and that “men should never show their emotions towards others because it makes you weak” is a very bad example of what it is to be a man. That is why most men are afraid to express and show their emotions to others because they don’t want to be seen as “weak”, and I do believe that is why the men's suicide rate increases.
Ruby H., 21 years old
Rape culture is when people normalize sexual violence against men and women. Yes, I was. My mom did not allow me to sleep over at people's houses and always told me about “stranger danger” she made me memorize her number when I was 4. My mom was more intense in teaching me and protecting me from certain situations. A form of sexual harassment I experienced was being in situations where I’m uncomfortable around creepy men. For example, being hit on at the club by men and they don’t get the hint and keep doing it. I feel vulnerable every day when I go out in public alone. You never know who would be watching you when out at the grocery store. Even going to the gas station alone I’m always looking out and staying on my toes. I have heard countless stories of women getting kidnapped in broad daylight at a parking lot of a grocery store or while pumping gas. It makes me upset to see misogynistic men like Andrew Tate disregarding women in everything. People are so easily influenced by the stuff they see on social media and will follow and believe the wrong things.
Tammer M., 24 years old
Rape culture is when a group of individuals look at acts of sexual assault and think it’s entertaining or that those that experience it deserve it. My mom taught me to be aware of my surroundings when I was a child, she showed me a website of registered sex offenders that were around us and got me a flip phone in middle school so I can call her when I got home every day. I think she taught me this so I can be aware of the world around me and not just trust strangers. It wasn’t the first time but I do recall one day after watching a football game when I was in high school me and my cousins were getting into a car in the parking lot and this couple that was older than us walked behind me and the girl grabbed my butt and just kept walking and it made me feel extremely uncomfortable but I didn’t say anything we just got in the car and left. Not often, I used to run at night and I would get creeped out here and there so I have since stopped but for the most part, when I see a lot of people in public I feel more comfortable. I never understood how people like that can gather such a following, it helps pedal along toxic masculinity and keeps things like rape culture going. People need better role models and need to stop idolizing celebrities.
ReferencesFisher,B.Victims of sexual violence: Statistics. RAINN. https://www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violenceMarshall University, Rape Culture. Women's Gender Center. https://www.marshall.edu/wcenter/sexual-assault/rape-culture/ Kalra G, Bhugra D. Sexual violence against women: Understanding cross-cultural intersections. Inidan J. Psychiatry. 2013 July 55 (3) doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.117139.
- "Rape Culture is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture. Rape culture is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies, and the glamorization of sexual violence, thereby creating a society that disregards women’s rights and safety", (Marshall University, 2023).
Examples of what is part of rape culture
- Making jokes such as "no means yes, yes means anal".
- Minimizing the trauma the victim endured by making statements such as "boys will be boys".
- Victim blaming or "slut-shaming" the victims by stating "They were asking for it, they shouldn't have worn such revealing clothes, it's their fault for getting drunk at a frat party".
- Objectifying people's bodies.
- Controlling what a person should wear.
- Not educating kids about sexual education where they can learn also learn consent.
- Placing the responsibility on the women to prevent the assault from happening.
- Violating people's privacy examples including sharing intimate media. There have been cases of an individual sharing an intimate photo with their partner, which then gets shared with others without their knowledge. In other cases, the couple will break up and the ex-boyfriend/ex-partner will then share intimate media that was shared in the relationship to the public. This is not only illegal but infamously known as revenge porn.
- Teaching the victim that it's their fault instead of the rapist's.
Why is rape culture an issue?
- Rape culture is not only a heavy topic to discuss but it is a relevant topic that has been around for generations. There are attitudes and actions that display the common traits of this culture such as slut-shaming, victim-blaming, sexual harassment, objectifying bodies, misogyny, and more. These traits have been becoming more common in our everyday lives which is only causing more harm for individuals who have been affected by this and others who are at risk of experiencing sexual assault. Not acknowledging this violent culture will only support the perpetrators who commit it.
Facts
- According to the National Sexual Assault Hotline, sexual assault happens every 68 seconds leaving 1 in 6 women experiencing an attempted or complete assault.
- Young women age groups ranging from 16 to 19 years old are 4 times more likely of being at risk of being victims of attempted or completed sexual assault.
- Women in age groups ranging from 18 to 24 years old are 3 times more likely of being at risk of sexual violence.
- In men groups, there has been 1 in 33, who've experienced a completed or an attempted assault in their life.
- Transgender college students are at a high risk of sexual violence with 21% of transgender, non-conforming, genderqueer individuals experiencing assault.
- This knowledge shouldn't provoke fear in people, but instead, provoke change. There should never be a normalization for violence, especially sexual violence.
Personal
This social issue directly affects me because I experienced rape culture growing up and continue to experience it as an adult. There have been situations where I have been sexually harassed and in events where it's made me fearful of being outside. I have experienced sexual assault and become angry knowing that it can happen again if I'm at the wrong place at the wrong time. I would like for there to be a change in our society so that the responsibility of not being assaulted or endangered is no longer placed on us (women, men, non-binary people) and rather have those who commit these violent acts be held accountable for their crimes. I'm advocating for change and would like for there to be a sense of freedom for all individuals without worrying if they're going to be targeted.
I chose this issue because I wanted to bring light onto this issue and hopefully give others a perspective of what it is like to go through this. I would like anyone who has gone through sexual harassment, assault, or similar to know that they're not alone. I find it important for people to start protesting against others who engage in this culture by calling them out and continuing to stand up against it. Ultimately, I would like my project to give courage to those who are against this to unite so that we can demand change for a better future for ourselves, our families, and our children.
The Community
I interviewed three individuals who wanted to be part of the project by asking them a series of questions:
- How would you define rape culture?
- As a child, were you ever warned of certain situations or taught to protect yourself from strangers?
- Can you recall the first time you experienced sexual harassment?
- How often do you find yourself in an uncomfortable or vulnerable situation where protection will be needed?
- What are your thoughts regarding toxic role models with big platforms such as Andrew Tate, spreading misinformation, promoting hate speech, and influencing their audience to follow their ideology?
Garrison S., 25 years old
Rape culture is a society that helps support and/or encourage sexual assault, abuse, and harassment. My family has always taught me how to protect myself at all costs, even if it’s with someone I am dearly close with. I believe the reason they have taught me that is that they have close friends that have encountered sexual abuse. I have never experienced sexual harassment, but I have had friends who’d come up to me and tell me that they have been sexually harassed. I do feel uncomfortable somewhat often outside, by just reading the individual’s body posture and the way they act around me and others. Mr. Tate’s information has given men the idea that “women are no good”, “be the best man out there because most men are weak”, etc. To me personally, that is not the right way to bring out “the man” inside. His choice of words towards women is very untrue and his way of talking to men about “masculinity” and that “men should never show their emotions towards others because it makes you weak” is a very bad example of what it is to be a man. That is why most men are afraid to express and show their emotions to others because they don’t want to be seen as “weak”, and I do believe that is why the men's suicide rate increases.
Ruby H., 21 years old
Rape culture is when people normalize sexual violence against men and women. Yes, I was. My mom did not allow me to sleep over at people's houses and always told me about “stranger danger” she made me memorize her number when I was 4. My mom was more intense in teaching me and protecting me from certain situations. A form of sexual harassment I experienced was being in situations where I’m uncomfortable around creepy men. For example, being hit on at the club by men and they don’t get the hint and keep doing it. I feel vulnerable every day when I go out in public alone. You never know who would be watching you when out at the grocery store. Even going to the gas station alone I’m always looking out and staying on my toes. I have heard countless stories of women getting kidnapped in broad daylight at a parking lot of a grocery store or while pumping gas. It makes me upset to see misogynistic men like Andrew Tate disregarding women in everything. People are so easily influenced by the stuff they see on social media and will follow and believe the wrong things.
Tammer M., 24 years old
Rape culture is when a group of individuals look at acts of sexual assault and think it’s entertaining or that those that experience it deserve it. My mom taught me to be aware of my surroundings when I was a child, she showed me a website of registered sex offenders that were around us and got me a flip phone in middle school so I can call her when I got home every day. I think she taught me this so I can be aware of the world around me and not just trust strangers. It wasn’t the first time but I do recall one day after watching a football game when I was in high school me and my cousins were getting into a car in the parking lot and this couple that was older than us walked behind me and the girl grabbed my butt and just kept walking and it made me feel extremely uncomfortable but I didn’t say anything we just got in the car and left. Not often, I used to run at night and I would get creeped out here and there so I have since stopped but for the most part, when I see a lot of people in public I feel more comfortable. I never understood how people like that can gather such a following, it helps pedal along toxic masculinity and keeps things like rape culture going. People need better role models and need to stop idolizing celebrities.
References
Fisher,B.Victims of sexual violence: Statistics. RAINN. https://www.rainn.org/statistics/victims-sexual-violence
Marshall University, Rape Culture. Women's Gender Center. https://www.marshall.edu/wcenter/sexual-assault/rape-culture/
Kalra G, Bhugra D. Sexual violence against women: Understanding cross-cultural intersections. Inidan J. Psychiatry. 2013 July 55 (3) doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.117139.
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