Stop Perpetuating Rape Culture on College Campuses | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Stop Perpetuating Rape Culture on College Campuses

Why we need to become better allies to survivors.

50
Stop Perpetuating Rape Culture on College Campuses
https://unsplash.com/photos/ooYSnqW-QGk

Boys will be boys.

Or in this case, horndogs will be horndogs.

This was the explanation given by a few male college students in a group chat after several girls were physically groped by strangers at a party.

Instead of addressing the issue and ensuring this would not happen again at any other house party they promoted, they became defensive and even mocked the original person who brought up the situation.

No one else in the group chat stood up for the girls. The subject of the conversation was quickly changed.

When will our society stop making excuses for sexual assaulters?

When will we acknowledge that rape culture is a serious threat to both men and women alike? In fact, men are more likely to be victims of sexual assault themselves, than to be falsely accused of rape.

The Me Too movement has helped show the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment in all forms and settings, but there is still a long road ahead until real change comes.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, "20 to 25 percent of college women and 15 percent of college men are victims of forced sex during their time in college" but, "rape is the most under-reported crime; 63 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to police."

With statistics like these, you would expect universities to do everything in their power to protect students, but documentaries like "The Hunting Ground" reveal this is not always the case.

This documentary focuses on sexual assault survivors who reported their assaults but were ignored by college administrators. While it wouldn't be accurate to generalize all college administrators in this way, this part of the issue demands close attention.

Ultimately, we can begin to challenge rape culture by acknowledging that it exists, challenging gender roles, modeling healthy relationships and being mindful of the language we use. We also need to change the attitudes we see about women's bodies.

Women's bodies are not objects or commodities.

Hopefully, we will reach a point where women can jog at night, pump gas or drink at parties without the fear of being harassed.

But until we reach that point, we need to come together and become better allies to survivors.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

193680
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

16938
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459382
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27482
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments