I am slightly obsessed with socio-cultural articles, especially when they have anything to do with Mormonism.
An article I recently read, was mainly about how Mormonism may have affected Elizabeth Smart's actions while in captivity.
I want to focus on one of the minor points in the article. It outlines how our culture accepts Rape as an inevitable part of life.
We accept that men are naturally sexually aggressive, women are usually the target, and it is a women's responsibility to avoid rape.
If women dress revealing they are "asking for it".
Rape victims are judged and blamed based on if they fought back hard enough.
We repeatedly excuse men's actions.
Most Rape Prevention organizations have tips to stop Rape.
We have all seen them. They circulate through facebook and group emails.
For example:
- Never go out alone at night
- Stay in well lit areas
- Carry pepper spray and a rape whistle
- Say "No" firmly instead of using phrases such as "I don't think so"
- Be. Repetitive. Repeating "No"
- If someone grabs you, yell, scream, kick and make a lot of commotion
Recently, a few people have started getting to the root of the matter.
Rape Prevention Tips should focus more on men, as they make up the majority of rapists.
The new tip sheet should look something like this:
- If you see a girl who is dressed slutty, don't rape her
- If a girl is walking in a dark alley alone, don't rape her
- If you are feeling rapey, stay at home for the night
- If you see a drunk girl passed out at a party, don't rape her
- If you want to have sex with someone and they say "NO", don't rape them
- If you are at a bar and have some GHD (date rape drug) in your pocket, don't use it to rape anyone
- Don't hide in people's homes with rapeful intentions
- If a girl is in her car at night in a parking garage, don't rape her
Hopefully the more we talk about this problem and hold men accountable, rape statistics will be lowered and rape victims will not have to deal with the embarrassment and blame that too often comes with it..
amen.
