As a society, we have convinced men that sexually pursuing a woman is always acceptable, whether she wants the attention or not. Brock Turner's unjust sentence caused an uproar among men and women alike. And yet, some of the same men that condemn Brock Turner may also be the same men that catcall women on the streets. Why is this an issue? Because one form of sexual assault can lead to an acceptance of others. Let's break down some major pieces of rape culture that need to end in our society.
1. Music that celebrates the "blurred lines" around sexual consent.
If you have to ask "What do you mean?," the answer is no. If she nods her head yes, but wants to say no, the answer is no. UNLESS HE/SHE SAYS YES, THE ANSWER IS NO.
2. "Yeah, but what were you wearing?"
That's like me claiming a guy has a threatening looking face, so I have the right to attack him with pepper spray. Really, you shouldn't walk around with a creepy face like that, you're asking for it.
3. Being skeptical of the victim rather than the accused.
Imagine the courage it takes to ask for help. Now, imagine how it must feel to still have no one believe you.
4. Women in derogatory or submissive positions in the media being shown as attractive.
There's nothing attractive about sexual violence.
5. Athletes who are charged with rape are supported, while their victims are blamed as the cause for a ruined career.
The achievements or opportunities that have been taken away from these athletes was their own doing, not that of the victim.
6. Catcalling.
Believe it or not, a man's shout of approval on the street does not make a woman feel good. It actually really creeps us out.
7. Inappropriate jokes that aren't addressed.
If you hear someone saying a rape joke, and laugh instead of addressing why it's wrong, that person, and everyone else who heard the joke, will think that sort of behavior is OK.
8. Taking the rapist's side because of their position/status compared to the victim.
This person has an amazing stage presence on television, so of course they could never do anything wrong in real life, right?
9. Women feeling the need to go through outlandish precautions to safely walk home alone.
Women feel the need to carry pepper spray and rape whistles in their bag, to text their friends when they get home safe, to have 911 dialed on their phone as they're walking, to place their keys in between their knuckles. It is not because they are more paranoid than men, it is because they have a reason to feel unsafe.
10. Sayings like "Boys will be boys," or "Men are dogs."
Excusing bad behavior as a natural male attribute only convinces the man that he has no control over his actions. You're not a dog, you're a human being with morals and societal responsibilities, and it's time that you started following them.
11. Using alcohol as an excuse for the rapist's actions, but a cause for skepticism for the victim.
The point is: if you can't remember giving consent, you were not in the position to give consent. So again, THE ANSWER IS NO.
12. The myth that men don't get raped.
Rape is not gender exclusive, nor should it stigmatize a man's masculinity if he attempts to seek help.
13. Warning our daughters about the dangers of sexual assault and not our sons.
How do we expect our society's approach to rape culture to change if half of the population is being taught to avoid it, and the other half is not being taught what it is at all?
