Sexual assault is all too common nowadays, and especially on college campuses. Statistics show that 1 in 5 American women and 1 in 33 American men will be sexually assaulted in his/ her lifetime. Studies also show that when people are between the ages of 18 years old to 24 years old, they are more likely to be sexually assaulted. This explains why people are more prone to being sexually assaulted on college campuses. Yet, nothing can explain or justify why it is okay to sexually assault another person.
Recently, I facilitated a sexual assault program on James Madison University's campus where we taught programs to first-year students about the realities of what they will eventually encounter, whether it be going to class, in the dorms, at a tailgate, or a party. It was extremely eye-opening to hear everyone's experiences with sexual assault in their everyday life, yet it was extremely upsetting because these experiences are far too common. We, as facilitators, were taught how to educate the first-years on the realities of sexual assault, rape culture nowadays, and how to be a good bystander, and step up.
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Rape culture nowadays can be described through slut shaming, alcohol blaming, and victim blaming. When sexual assault takes place, people jump to the immediate questions of "What was she wearing? Did she look like a slut?" or "They both had too much to drink, they didn't know any better." It doesn't matter what the victim was wearing or how much they each had to drink, if someone does not give their consent to have sex, or if they are too incompetent to respond, it's a no.
Rape culture nowadays can be described through catcalling and gender discrepancy. Yes, catcalling is a minor form of sexual assault, and it's far too common. I was on a run the other day, and not even five minutes into my run, I had guys reaching out of their windows to make it obvious they were watching me, creepily smiling and waving to me, and whistling and saying nasty comments. My question is, why? Why do you feel that it's necessary to go out of your way to bother me simply for your own pleasure? What? I can't go on a run anymore, without hearing nasty comments? I can't walk out of my apartment without a guy screaming off of his balcony "Hey pretty girl why don't you come up here?" It's not a compliment, it's disgusting.
Society generally tends to justify a guy's behavior as, "Boys will be boys." With that being said, society also tends to categorize all sexual assault occurrences as being directed toward women - when that's not the case at all. Men can be sexually assaulted just as much as women, thus statistics show that it's just not as common. When a man gets sexually assaulted, there's the comment of "You should consider yourself to be lucky." Yet, what people need to realize is, sexual assault isn't a "lucky" occurrence, nor is it a joke, it's a serious matter - regardless of who you are. It's a crime and deserves to be treated as one.
I shouldn't have to walk with keys in between my fingers - sharp side up, avoid eye-contact when walking through a group of guys, pretend to be on the phone with a friend, have my gay best friend pretend he's my boyfriend, or watch what I'm wearing, because I'm worried about potentially being sexually assaulted. Yet, that's the sad reality we live in nowadays. Many sexual assault cases go unreported, due to the fear of the repercussions the victim will face for speaking up; seeing how many cases justify the suspects behavior and/or blame the victim. Sexual assault isn't a joke, it's not a fallacy, it's reality. It's a reality that can happen to a man, woman, transgender, anyone. It's a reality that we need to change.
