Rape Culture Controversy

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Rape culture, a term closely associated with feminism, is used to explain how society’s values encourage male aggression and violence against women. These values, which are enforced upon individuals, are problematic because it further blurs the definition of rape, leading to rape myths. A rape myth refers to preconceived stereotypes and false beliefs regarding rape, its victims, and rapist. Rape culture is an existing issue and contributing factor to rape itself. Denying its existence has set society further from addressing and finding solutions to the bigger problems at hand.
There are many people that would argue that there is no such thing as Rape Culture, and that feminist are merely making up new issues to fight about. But it is very much …show more content…

“The Potential Impact of Rape Culture on Juror Decision Making Implications for Wrongful Acquittals in Sexual Assault Trials” by Meagen M. Hildebrand and Cynthia J. Najdowski recognizes some popular rape myths and how they create greater controversy. Some common rape myths such as: “She wanted it. She lied. She asked for it” legitimatize the false beliefs for what is considered real rape (Hildebrand and Najdowski 1060). This has to be addressed because these erroneous beliefs shift the blame from the rapist to the victim. Women are stricken with the burden of guilt after rape, and because of rape culture bystanders are taught to question the actions of the victim before blaming the perpetrator. This leads to misplaced control because reasoning for rape questions the woman while excusing the rapist of their actions.. This not only belittles the problems but it is basically allowing this kind of behavior to stand. The Nation newspaper published an article by Jessica Valenti entitled “In Rape Tragedies, the Shame Is Ours” and it focuses on a particular case involving 15-year-old Audrie Pott, where multiple boys raped Audrie. While this occurred some of the boys decided to take and share explicit photos of the young lady. This showcases how victim shaming in rape lead to more tragedy, the young woman ended up hanging herself eight days after her rape because she was labeled a slut. “Calling a woman a slut sends a message that it’s open season: you can harass her, malign her, ruin her life”, and it lessens a woman’s worth in the eyes of others. Valenti observes how in a society were rape has become almost normal it is more shameful to be the victim of rape than to actually be a rapist. That is why some rape victims themselves assume responsibility of their on rape, if everyone else is pointing the finger at them they have learn to

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