Sexual Harassment Satire

ROUGH DRAFT

17, 700, 000 women have reported sexual assault since 1998. That’s 17, 700, 000 reports too many. You see, we live in a society where women are taught to be careful not to get raped instead of men being taught not to rape. Where “rape culture” is perpetuated through the use of misogynistic language, the objectification of women’s bodies, and the glamorization of sexual violence, thereby creating a society that disregards women’s rights and safety. Where we trivialize sexual assault by saying “boys will be boys” and tell women that they should take it as a compliment. Where when you’re a female, especially in the tech industry, speaking out about sexual harassment is like dropping a nuclear bomb on your career. And when a female

You feel as if nothing but challenges lie ahead, and that to advance, you must sacrifice your morals, integrity, and dignity. “I've also been shown naked, sexually explicit photos; and propositioned by countless men, some of which were married and standing right next to their children.”, “I got fired from my job because I wouldn’t sleep with my boss!”, “The worst one I had was from a co-worker who used to message me on the work chat room, asking me to come blow him under his desk. When I reported it to HR they said I was the one causing the issue.” Anecdotes like these can make you lose faith in society, in humanity, in your country. Nearly half of working women in the U.S. say they have experienced harassment in the workplace. How can you go into the workplace confident when you must battle statistics like this; expecting nothing more than catcalls and uncomfortable stares. But truth is that sexual assault is but a symptom of the problem. The problem is the mindset of how these young men are being programmed to think about, to talk about, and to treat women. Violence against women is not a women’s issue, although we are incredibly capable creatures. Violence against women is a human issue, and it requires all of us