In this day and age it is easy for teenagers or young adults to use serious issues as a means of joking. We hear it all the time, people using the term "rape" as a way to joke about someone touching them. For example, two girls joking about touching each other and one yells "rape" out loud as if it isn't a serious issue that many people are affected by. Or two young adults describing what happened on a date or social interaction as "he basically raped me."

The fact of the matter is, rape is not something to joke about nor should it ever be. We live in a world where it is easy to make fun of serious issues because not everyone can put themselves in someone else's shoes. Don't. This needs to stop. There are so many campaigns trying to make people aware of how hurtful words can be to an individual. "Spread the word to end the word" A campaign about deleting the word " retard" out of our vocabulary has been a worldwide convention trying to make people aware. This is something I completely agree with. So why is it that people think the word "rape" isn't just as hurtful? There are so many people that are affected by this and you wouldn't dare to use this word in front of someone who you knew has been a victim of this. So why do people think it is okay to used in other context?

Rape is a term to describe the forceful act of unwanted sexual action without the person's consent. It sounds serious when you use it the right way.

There are millions of men and women who are victims of rape in this world. It is serious. It is life changing. It is tragic and heartbreaking. It is not something that anyone should joke about no matter the situation. Rape or sexual assault has become a huge problem in this world especially on college campuses. Using the word "rape" as a way of joking about experiences or touch is immature and hurtful. What gives you the right to joke about it? What about the people who have been through it and are affected every single day by it? If this was something that you had been through you would understand entirely where I am coming from, but there are lucky people in the world. Lucky enough to not understand the dynamics of rape and how it affects you and everyone around you. Maybe someone you are close to has been a victim of it but you would never know.

So next time, think before you speak. Think about your word choice and what you are saying. Think about the people who have been through it think about how it can effect someone, anyone around you.

Rape is not a joke, and it never will be. Stop using this term loosely, as a joke. It is serious and it happens every day.

Be the change, help end this.