March 26, 2013
Rape culture—what it is and how it can be changed
In the wake of the Steubenville, Ohio, rape trial that ended slightly over a week ago and other high profile rapes in recent months (such as those in India and South Africa), not to mention all the rapes that go unreported or are paid little attention, there has been a great deal of talk about the existence of an actual “rape culture.” Today’s link comes from the Marshall University Women’s Center (Huntington, West Virginia), which defines rape culture as “an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence against women is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture.” The website describes how rape culture is perpetuated, how it manifests itself, and ways to combat it. Not viewing women as fully equal human beings is the main factor that feeds into rape culture.
For related reading, see this excellent article by Laurie Penny who says the Steubenville incident (which the perpetrators and their friends thought was so laughable they made digital images to post on social media) is the “Abu Ghraib” moment of rape culture, reminiscent of the infamous photos of those American soldiers who mocked, humiliated, and photographed Iraqui war prisoners as though they were anything but human beings. Another very strong statement about “rape culture” and the Steubenville rapes is one by sociologist Sarah Sobieraj. And sociologist Lisa Wade calls attention to the common political use of rape as a metaphor. Last, since it is not uncommon for young people to not fully understand what rape actually is, see this post (sent to me by Rev. Becky Kiser) which beautifully illustrates how teacher Abby Norman took advantage of a teachable moment in her class of young teenagers. (All of the related reading material I’ve listed is well worth your time, but if you don’t take the time to check out all the other suggested links, be sure to take time to read this last one.)
