It is extremely disheartening to see how women are portrayed and objectified in this day and age. It sickens me to think that there is someone out there who just because he is going to a Division one school and is considered to be a star athlete that he can get away with only six months in a correctional facility because according to the judge "a prison sentence would have a severe impact on him". Rape is one of the ugliest four letter words in the English language. Rape is NOT right, it is NOT consensual, it is NOT okay.
A women should never have to feel that she is any less of a person than a man. He is not better than you are. There is no reason that you should have to feel small and insecure because of a man. You are a strong individual, you can overcome boundaries set presumptuously by society. You are NOT an object.
Unfortunately, in today's world, the media and retail companies believe that it is okay to objectify women in their magazines and other sources of media. Most brands even go as far as photoshopping their models to make them look like they are skin and bones and then there a girls who believe that they can achieve this unhealthy body image set by society.
The female body has become so sexualized by social standards that there is hardly any clothing out there that a girl can buy that doesn't sexualize a part of the body. Bikinis, crop tops, short shorts, bandeaus, yoga pants, and various other clothing accessories are fun and cute to wear. The clothing you put on your body does NOT mean a thing. Be comfortable, be confident, be YOU.
Women should never be made to feel that they are at fault for a man's actions. Your clothing did not cause him to touch you, your "body language" does not mean that you are consenting to absolutely anything, and just because he buys you a drink or calls you pretty does not mean that you owe him anything. Do NOT let a man make you think that you owe him something just because he was getting the wrong signal.
Self confidence is a beautiful thing. The freedom to wear anything you want is a beautiful thing. Your privacy is a beautiful thing. Do NOT give someone the ability to take that away from you. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted it is okay to speak up. It hurts more than anything to hide in the shadows and be the only one to have to bear the horrible thoughts that come over you. There are people out there that care and will do everything in their power to help. I myself am here to listen, as I'm sure any other woman would do if someone were put into a situation as the poor girl was when she was taken advantage of by that Stanford student.
Please remember that no means no. If there is not a clear yes answer then it is considered rape. Parents, if you have taken the time to read this article I strongly urge you to talk to your children about rape at the appropriate age. Let's be the generation to put an end to this. You are NOT an object..
