Rape culture needs to end

“Rape Culture“was a term created by feminists in the 1970s, and refers to a culture that facilitates male sexual aggression and the promotion of violence against women.

It was and still is a term that can be used to describe our society, and that is unfortunate.

It is unbecoming that we live in a world where sexual assault still exists and women have their pride and dignity ripped away from them. They encounter situations they should never have to deal with.

While I do understand men can also be sexually assaulted, it is usually women who more frequently endure this.

We’ve all heard time and time again facts that clearly support this.

According to Rainn.org,  “One out of every six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape in her lifetime.”

So this essentially means that 17.7 million American women have been victims of sexual assault.

Another devastating reality is that in 2003, nine out of every 10 rape cases that were reported happened to women.

The fact that it is so common for these horrible occurrences to keep happening truly tears me apart.

However, I find it comforting to know that there are people in this world fighting to make others more aware of rape culture and how it needs to end.

Amber Rose, an American hip hop model, artist, fashion designer and actress, recently took a stand for this cause. On Oct. 3, Rose hosted her very own SlutWalk.

While I know this term sounds derogatory and makes one wonder how this could even support women’s empowerment, let me explain.

SlutWalks first originated in 2011 in Toronto. They are protests which were designed by feminists to preach to society that women’s choice of clothing should not depict the fact that it is acceptable for men to sexually assault them.

This is essentially the same concept that Rose’s SlutWalk is all about, along with her own twist that included several other speakers and events throughout the day.

To some, this might seem controversial because in society there is the constant argument over what is considered “acceptable” for women to wear. While there is a time to be appropriate and I understand that, I also understand Rose’s point.

When women wear whatever they want, it shows they are comfortable in their own skin. It helps to empower them and the confidence they hold in themselves.

Why should men have the right to take this away from them?

Why should women be afraid to wear what they want just because they think their clothes will give men the idea that they’re “asking for it?”

Men, along with others in society, need to simply understand these free-spirited, confident women are not asking to be raped.

It is some males’ attitudes and their violent actions which have caused rape culture to become a term, as well as their mindlessness and carelessness to respect women.

I realize not all men are like this, of course, but for the ones who are and neglect to treat women the right way, you are who I’m speaking to.

You are the ones who need to change and you are the ones who need to be better people. You need to be better humans.

In addition, it needs to be more than just feminists fighting for this cause and fighting to prevent women from dealing with the hurt and pain so many have had to go through.

When this happens, the term rape culture can finally become one that is not used in our vocabulary.