Disclaimer: sexual Assault can happen to anyone: male, female, transgender, gay, lesbian, bi, etc. This article is from personal experience so it is written from a woman's point of view.
All my life, when the conversation of sexual assault would come up in classrooms or casual conversation, everyone would freeze and change the subject.
Why? Why are these very important topics so hushed and rejected in today's society?
When learning about drinking responsibly, I had also learned not to take a drink from someone and to never leave your drink unattended at a party because that increases the chances of someone slipping something into it. While yes, there are sick, twisted people in this world who would do this, why are we warned to just take precaution instead of also, oh, I don't know not drugging someone's drink?
When learning what is socially acceptable to wear in public, I was told to wear items that are modest. This meaning clothes that hide my shoulders, go up far enough on my chest, go down enough to my knees, and heels needed to not exceed a certain height. While society had brainwashed me all my life to believe this was "acceptable," I had quickly discovered upon entering high school that the only reason it was acceptable was so that men would respect me. I respect myself and respect is a basic human right that everyone should be granted, why would an article of clothing change that for me? We are taught that the fewer items of clothing you wear on your body is like a smoke signal which grants men — or should I say boys — nonverbal consent to our bodies. When girls confide in someone about a guy being too handsy with them at a party, they are told, "Well maybe it's because you're dressed like that," instead of being comforted. We are made to think it is our fault we are disrespected and taken advantage of when really it is the other person's.
When there are websites with lists telling you how to not get raped instead of programs, PSAs, and classes that instill in our heads not to rape. Instead we a overflowed with the "don't get raped" pressure society gives us. Instead, women are asked "what were you wearing," "were you drinking," "were you leading him on?" when reporting a rape or sexual assault. We are taught not to get raped so much that society has made us feel as if we are the reason for being attacked. We become ashamed for someone overstepping boundaries because we were taught over and over again how to keep that from happening.
I refuse to be silent while the rest of the world is fine with living day to day as if this is not a large issue at hand.
