December 15, 2017
If the current exodus of abusers in Hollywood, politics and journalism is any indication of the current state of the union, then change is imminent. Sexual assault is inexcusable, no matter who commits it.
The ideology that “womanizing is powerful” creates an atmosphere where power hungry men feel they can prey on any woman. Society says more sex equals greater success.
That is why celebrities, public figures and others such as Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, a man who had the power to bring up and destroy careers in one phone call, need to be brought to the public eye.It is revolting that since 1980 he has been accused of sexual assault and Hollywood did nothing. Only when it became public knowledge, thanks to the New York Times and a New Yorker magazine story by Ronan Farrow (Woody Allen’s son), did Weinstein leave the industry.
It is the duty of those who care to bring about safety. When women are expected to sexually pleasure men to get ahead, such as with Harvey Weinstein, abuse becomes normalized. No person should be expected to exchange sex for career success.
This horrific culture of male power abuse cuts across a number of different industries and areas of daily life. Taking advantage of the shock of seeing a star, comedian Louis C.K. would make women watch him masturbate. In his apology about coercion and harassment, he admitted that he held too much power for these women to consent.
Confronted with a person in a position of power, people often are scared to say no. Rejecting someone could mean the end of a career, even the end of a life. In 2014, Elliot Rodger, a young man from California, killed seven in a drive-by because he was rejected. Never having a girlfriend led to an anger at sexually active men and women. So, he went on a shooting spree in Isla Vista. To protect their lives and jobs, women will say yes out of fear.
Even our president, Donald Trump, has been accused of sexual assault. Notoriously, in a behind-the-scenes video from “Access Hollywood” recorded in 2005, he said to a journalist that when approaching women, he can just “grab ‘em by the p*ssy.” 20 women have come forward accusing Trump of sexual misconduct. Natasha Stoynoff, a writer for People, describes being pushed against a wall and forcibly kissed by our president. Several others have similar stories.
President Bill Clinton is no stranger to accusations either. Juanita Broaddrick in 1990 accused Clinton of violently raping her in her hotel room. Kathleen Willey met him for advice in the Oval Office and was met with him groping and forcing her to touch his crotch. He got away with it, just like Trump did.
this issue goes much deeper than party lines. Rape culture is a societal issue.
Upon speaking out, such as with the #MeToo social media movement, women are belittled. People ask the same questions: What were you wearing? Are you sure you didn’t give them signs? Were you drunk?
These questions are toxic, taking away from the facts of the accusation. Clothing or behavior does not change whether or not someone was assaulted. To think something as simple as a look could mean one was “asking for it” is to perpetuate a culture in which sexual assault is standard.
Doubt keeps women and men from coming forward. Allegations often come out long after abuse because society teaches to keep quiet.
One is taught that being sexually assaulted is something to be ashamed of—that it is often the victim’s fault. This attitude must change in order to form a world without assault.
Though women are not the only victims of sexual assault, according to national anti-sexual violence organization RAINN, 90 percent of rape victims are female. Their perpetrators are often males.
Until all victims are respected, abusers will continue to get away with their crimes. The fact that the justice system does not give harsh sentences to abusers makes victims feel that charging their assaulters is not worth it.
In the United States, according to RAINN, every 98 seconds someone is sexually assaulted. However, only 6 out of 1,000 perpetrators will actually end up in prison.
Brock Turner, a college kid from Stanford, raped a girl and received a sentence of just six months in county jail with three years of probation. After getting out on good behavior, he is currently trying to appeal his case on the claim that prosecutors told jurors false information to sway their opinion. It’s great that he was convicted, but clearly it was not enough time for him to repent.
It’s a slap on the wrist compared to drug charges; the average being three years according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics. Drugs are bad, yes, but are they worse than taking away someone’s right to say no?
A better world will only happen if rape culture dissipates. Until we begin to teach kids at a young age that no means no, assault will happen. Until we teach kids that girls’ and boys’ bodies are their own, assault will continue to happen.
Humanity needs to reevaluate their morals. I do not want to live in a world where rape is normal. I do not want to live in a world where victims must hide in fear of public reaction.
To promote the current ideals in place in society is to promote rape culture.If you are horrified by the current exposées, change your behavior and teach people to be better. Educate those around you to be understanding of events like this and please, stop shaming victims.
Change is inevitable at this point. Choose the side that fights for a better tomorrow.
