We have all seen the posts which blame women and her wardrobe choices for her assault. Besides these comments being incredibly demeaning to women who have been sexually assaulted despite their clothes, I could never wrap my head around this reasoning. Why is it a women's job to pick out clothes that won't get her assaulted? And while we are on that subject, do you think women pick out clothes and think "Hmm this top makes my boobs look great, let's hope a man sexually assaults me because of it." Absolutely not. This way of thinking however what people are insinuating when they comment "Oh she was asking for it."

Whenever I got out whether it is to a bar around my campus or even out in public, I fear my wardrobe might be conceived too provocative. Although wearing pants, I worry because my belly button might be showing, someone might get the wrong idea. Why is it that we live in a world where women fear their wardrobe choices. Not because they might be called a fashion disaster, but because they fear being raped?

Do men have to worry about their clothes and if women will think "they are asking for it?" If I buy a shirt or even a pair of shorts, I do not think about how men will perceive it. Instead, I consider, do I like the clothes, do I feel comfortable in them and most importantly, how will I feel about myself? At the end of the day, women need to feel comfortable and love the way we look in clothes, not consider how men will react to our wardrobe choices.

Instead of placing the blame on women and their clothing decisions, why can't we teach men to ask for consent or, even better, to accept women and their bodies? And while we are on the subject of what women should not apologize for, we are free to eat what we want, choose not to wear makeup, feel what we want, and brag about our achievements whenever we see fit.

Equality is something we are proud of in today's culture, but we are still far from true social and gender equality. Our culture needs to stop blaming women for being the root of their assault and men take responsibility for their actions, we will make significant progress for women of today and the future.