Trigger Warning: This article discusses in-depth rape, sexual assault, and other violent behavior. Please proceed with caution.

Recently, twenty-year-old Brock Turner, also known as the Stanford Rapist, received his sentence for sexually assaulting a twenty-three-year-old woman while she was unconscious. The attack happened nearly a year and a half ago, and when Turner was caught violating this young woman behind a dumpster by two men riding by on their bicycles, he fled only to be pursued by the witnesses. Turner's sentence includes sex offender registration and a mere six months in county jail, of which he's likely to only serve three. This story has recently made headlines due to the incredibly powerful statement that the victim read during Turner's sentencing as well as Turner's father's, Dan Turner, statement claiming that his son doesn't deserve such a harsh punishment for only "20 minutes of action" considering the bright future he had as a potential Olympic swimmer. Unfortunately for Brock, being able to hold his breath under water for three minutes does not excuse the crime of rape.

With this story circulating on social media and news outlets everywhere, I think it's high time we talk about rape culture. Let's begin with one simple question: what exactly is rape culture? In definition, rape culture covers a broad spectrum of stereotypes and logical fallacies surrounding the circumstances and the commitment of rape and sexual assault.

Essentially, rape culture is the insinuation that the victim was "asking for it" by being scantily clothed or inebriated prior to the assault. Rape culture is suggesting that the victim is claiming rape because "they just want attention." Rape culture is arming young women on college campuses with keys, pepper spray, and tasers in order to protect themselves from potentially predacious men. Rape culture is denying that men can be victims. Rape culture is the insinuation that all men are rapists but that women are not capable of such horrid acts. Rape culture is the assumption that verbal consent is unnecessary in order to engage in sex. Rape culture is translating unprecedented violent and aggressive behavior into sex because "women like/want that" and "that's how they do it in porn."

So, the reality is that the definition of rape culture isn't quite as simple as I let on but neither is rape. In the case of the Stanford Rapist, the victim has been continuously blamed for her "promiscuity" and alcohol consumption, though she was of legal drinking age at the time of the attack. Turner, however, was not. Turner's additional crime of underage drinking has fallen to the wayside in favor of the victim's imbibing at a frat party and allegedly kissing her rapist, suggesting to him that engaging in sexual acts was acceptable and desired despite him not receiving her verbal consent. This type of response to rape is called victim blaming, yet another unfortunate product of rape culture, and it is incredibly destructive and toxic to the fragile being of a rape survivor. Drunk or sober, no one - absolutely NO ONE - is EVER "asking for it." Under no circumstances ever is "suggestive" clothing or even complete nudity grounds for rape because there are no grounds for rape. Rape is an unacceptable and uninhibited violation of another person's mind, body, and soul. Rape isn't about what she was wearing or how his body language suggested he "wanted it;" rape is about power and domination.

Dan Turner made an excuse for his son's heinous actions by claiming that his inebriation was a factor when, in reality, sobriety or the lack thereof had absolutely no bearing on Brock Turner's active decision to sexually assault the young woman. Alcohol consumption may impair one's judgment, but rape isn't about judgment. Rape is not rational or logical; rape cannot be justified regardless of circumstance. Hormonal surges are also not a pass for rape. Brock Turner may be a young, spry man, but that's just it: he's a man who has spent a great portion of his life, particularly since reaching puberty, learning how to cope with and control his sexual urges. His youth and his abundance of testosterone had no effect on his choice to rape that woman.

Here, I pose another question: how do we stop and prevent the spread of rape culture? The answer to this question actually is quite simple. One: stop telling young girls that boys hit them because "he likes you." By continuing to perpetuate this kind of behavior, we send the message to our daughters that violence and abuse are expressions of love and affection, and in turn, we suggest to our sons that physical and emotional domination are equivalent to valuing and even displaying ownership and control over their partners. Allowing this type of behavior can lead to domestic violence and, ultimately, rape and sexual assault or even death. Two: speak openly to your sons, daughters, and other young people in your life about sex and the changes that their bodies undergo during puberty. For the sake of the ones you love and care about, stow away your discomforts on the topic and learn from your parents' or guardians' broach on the subject. Do not allow Internet pornography to be your teenager's encyclopedia on intimacy. The adult film industry is littered with cases and testimonies of abuse and assault, and when young adults continually consume this form of media, it becomes difficult to discern fantasy from reality. Three: stop using derogatory slurs such as skank, whore, and slut. Your opinion on another individual's attire or your knowledge or assumption of their number of sexual partners is completely invalid and absolutely never warrants such childish and petty name-calling. Do not model this type of negative behavior for younger generations to exhibit themselves. Preventing rape and the perpetuation of rape culture go hand-in-hand. By teaching young men and women not only to own their sexuality but to also respect their bodies and those of others, we can essentially halt the creation of Brock Turners and stop the destruction of lives such as that of his victim.

Rape and sexual assault are very real, and they pose far too much of a threat to far too many people. We can all do our part to prevent it. Rape is like a disease — a pandemic, really, and it's spreading like wildfire. But we can stop it. We have the knowledge and the resources. All we have to do is use them.