Rape Is Not Taboo | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Rape Is Not Taboo

Stop blaming the victims and start condemning the assailants.

623
Rape Is Not Taboo
Pexels.com

Rape has historically been a subject the public has shied away from speaking about and addressing as a society. Words like rape and sexual assault instantly make us feel uncomfortable and even dirty. We like to believe that horrible crimes like rape rarely occur so that we can distance ourselves from the effects of rape culture. Society likes to treat rape as a taboo subject, but in reality, its a bigger part of our world than we think.

According to the Rain Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), an American is sexually assaulted every two minutes. Newsflash -- whether we like it or not, rape is a major issue in our society and in light of recent high-profile sexual assault cases, I think it’s about time that society starts to treat rape as the severe and all too common problem that plagues our communities.

Although recent news stories such as the Stanford Rape Case draw much-needed attention to the topic of rape, it is important that we understand every rape case deserves to receive equal attention and concern from society. Every victim of sexual assault deserves justice regardless of their income, ethnicity, religion, education, gender or legal status. Maybe people are ignorant or naïve, but it is clear that humanity does not understand the true impact of rape on our culture.

Rape is toxic and it distorts the victim’s very idea of love and security within relationships. Ultimately, rape is not just an act of singular physical attack, but an assault on the entire dimension of a person’s wellness causing repercussions that become a permanent part of the victim’s life. After reading article upon article covering the topic of rape, I find myself sickened by the amount of people who are justifying the actions of guilty rapists. I do not care who you are or what you do, there is no excuse in the world that can justify stripping another human being of their basic rights to safety and happiness by committing the act of sexual assault.

Regardless of what anyone says, rape is never the fault of the victim. What a person wears, if he or she consumes substances, or if he or she is a part of the party scene does not in any way mean that a victim is even partially responsible for their attack. These victim-blaming arguments are destructive and are flawed ideologies that unfairly and undeservedly shift the blame away from the perpetrator toward the victim. No matter what actions or decisions were taken by the victim, no one ever deserves to be a victim of sexual assault. The fact is, rape can occur anywhere to anyone and no amount of precautionary measures can ever guarantee it won’t happen.

Society, we have failed because while so many individuals are taken advantage of, we seldom hold those who commit assault accountable for their heinous offenses. Instead of creating excuses for the assaulter, we should be doing everything in our power to stand in solidarity with the victims. We should be outraged at lenient verdicts and perpetrators that do not show remorse for the actions, but instead we remain all too silent about the issue of rape.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

70283
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

3903
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

7939
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments