Rape culture. Two ugly words that are all too prevalent in American society. But what does rape culture actually mean? According to Everyday Feminism, rape culture is a society "in which sexual assault, rape, and general violence are ignored, trivialized, normalized, or made into jokes." But rape culture is so much more than that. It's being cat-called on the street when you are wearing a winter coat and jeans. It's receiving text after text, despite not answering. It's Tinder messages that go from kind to aggressive upon gentle rejection. It's people believing that this type of behavior is okay and that "boys will be boys."

Some may question why it is important to talk about rape culture. It's important because 1 in 5 women will be raped in their lifetime, and 37.4% of women were first raped when they were college age, 18-24. These statistics are alarming, and yet society is not changing. In fact, many victims of rape are further victimized. By the media. By their peers. By strangers on the internet who don't understand that when one asserts their dominance over another it is not the victim's fault. Why is it that we still teach women how not to get raped rather than emphasizing the importance of consent? Why is it that some believe they are entitled to a woman's attention and affection, and, if they don't receive it, they can use force?

Because no matter what you wear.

No matter where you are walking.

No matter how many drinks you had.

No matter how friendly you are.

Rape is rape.

Assault is assault.

Harassment is harassment.

And it is never the victim's fault.

Since I became aware of rape culture around the age of 17, so many cases of gender based violence have found their way into my newsfeed. The comments section is always atrocious, but sometimes it's the article itself that haunts me. To this day, the Steubenville, Ohio rape case sends shivers down my spine. When a girl was raped by two star football players, media outlets such as CNN, ABC, and NBC lamented the lost futures of the young men and blamed the victim, whose assault was filmed by the boys. Other rape victims have also been blamed for their assault, leading some to commit suicide.

That is rape culture, and it has to stop.

Because too many women live in fear.

Because too many women have questioned their self worth and validity.

Because too many lives have been lost.

It's time to stand up and stand together to end rape culture.

*Disclaimer: I am fully aware of violence against men and male victims. That just was not the focus of this article.