Two Steps Back | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Two Steps Back

The Oklahoma ruling that shocked everyone.

14
Two Steps Back
Emerging Free

This week, living in Oklahoma as a female just became that much scarier.

After a 17 year old boy forced a 16 year old girl to participate in oral sex while she was heavily intoxicated, a court ruled that due to her unconscious state -- he was dismissed. Let me say that again. She was unconscious and drunk -- so the court let him off for raping her. In the arguments, he said it was consensual yet she recalls nothing.

This is not just a problem in Oklahoma though, most rapists do go free. Whether the ruling be because the victim was unconscious or because their outfit was "revealing". In the end, after court cases and unreported rapes, only 1 in 16 rapists will ever spend time in jail.

This is unacceptable.

Women should not be afraid to walk down the street in the middle of the night, or be scrutinized for what they are wearing. More importantly, their rapist should not be set free after it was uncovered that she was intoxicated and unconscious during the act.

Unfortunately, the ruling of the courts was based on the law because there was a massive hole that did not account for an unconscious individual in the criteria for the crime they were prosecuting. This hole is being fixed and hopefully, within the next few weeks, Oklahoma will have a new rape law that will prevent this issue from arising in the future.

Quite frankly, this is a major problem in the United States that needs to be addressed. What the country needs are lawmakers who realize we are behind in creating adequate punishment for these heinous crimes. When only 0.06 percent of rapists spend time in prison for their crimes, there isn't an issue with our women, there is an issue with our laws. It's time to catch up and fix these rape laws so the times of sharing awful rulings on Facebook of men getting let off for forcibly raping someone while they are drunk ends.

As a college student, I have a one in five chance of being sexually assaulted in my undergraduate years. That's terrifying. In a woman's lifetime, she has a one in four chance. I'm sick of being afraid of this happening to myself or my sisters. For my future daughter, something needs to change. At one point in time, laws didn't protect against rape at all. Hopefully soon, laws will protect against all sexual assault and create simpler means of trying these cases and allowing women to feel safe.

Stop asking what she was wearing. Stop asking if she was drunk. She didn't want it.

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

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

8118
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
college

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

3647
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

2659
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Signs You Live At The Library As Told by 'Parks And Recreation'

A few signs that you may live in the library whether you'd like to admit it or not.

2428
brown wooden book shelves with books

Finals week is upon us. It is a magical time of year during which college students everywhere flock to the library in attempt to learn a semester's worth of knowledge in only a week. For some students, it's their first time in the library all semester, maybe ever. Others have slaved away many nights under the fluorescent lights, and are slightly annoyed to find their study space being invaded by amateurs. While these newbies wander aimlessly around the first floor, hopelessly trying to find a table, the OGs of the library are already on the third floor long tables deep into their studies. Here is a few signs that you may live in the library, whether you'd like to admit it or not.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments