Real Talk: How We Can End Rape Culture
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Real Talk: How We Can End Rape Culture

What is rape culture and what can we do about it?

275
Real Talk: How We Can End Rape Culture
vo.msecnd.net

What is rape culture?

"Rape Culture is an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture. Rape culture is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies, and the glamorization of sexual violence, thereby creating a society that disregards women’s rights and safety" (For more information, read this page from Marshall University)

What are examples of rape culture?

Here are some examples from Southern Connecticut State University

1. Blaming the victim ("She asked for it!")

2. Minimizing sexual assault ("Boys will be boys")

3. Sexual Jokes

4. Tolerance or indifference to sexual harassment

5. Inflating false rape report stats

6. Publicly scrutinizing the victim's dress, mental status, motives, and history

7. Unjustified gendered violence in movies and TV

8. Defining "manhood" as dominate and sexually aggressive

9. Defining "womanhood" as submissive and sexually passive

10. Assuming that only promiscuous women get raped

11. Assuming men don't get raped or that only "weak" men get raped

12. Refusing to take rape accusations seriously

13. Teaching women to AVOID getting raped

How can we actively try to end rape culture?

Here are ten things we can do according to The Nation

1. Name the real problems: violent masculinity and victim-blaming

2. Re-examine and re-imagine masculinity

3. Get enthusiastic about enthusiastic consent

4. Speak up for what you really, really want

5. Get media literate

6. Globalize your awareness of rape culture

7. Know your history

8. Take an intersectional approach

9. Practice real politics

10. Lobby your community

And here's two additional things to do:

- Don't laugh at rape

- Tell your story

My word to you:

Know your worth as a person. Don't go through your life feeling small and don't go through life contributing to the examples of rape culture that I discussed above; do not be passive. If we want rape culture to come to an end, then we need to be activists. We cannot keep pushing it toward the next generation to deal with this big issue because then we have become the root of the problem.


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

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

41884
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

26311
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

951526
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

136015
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments