Content warning: r*pe and s*xual assault
Rape culture is defined as ‘a culture in which sexual violence is treated as the norm and victims are blamed for their assaults.’ This regards more than the sexual assaults themselves- it is about the institutions and norms that protect rapists, shame victims and allow harassment to occur daily.
In schools, girls tend to be hypersexualised and objectified, with dress codes shaped around boys’ comfort. Girls can’t show their shoulders, because it will ‘distract’ boys. Girls with ‘short skirts’ are told they are making male members of staff ‘uncomfortable’, which is inappropriate on so many levels. Men should be able to control themselves and stop looking at us as sexual beings. This makes boys feel entitled to our bodies; stop telling girls what they can and cannot wear. Our bodies are not for you.
By saying things like ‘girls mature faster’, you are dismissing and allowing any bad behaviour from boys, as well as placing responsibility on girls. Additionally, many girls are told if a boy is treating them badly, it is because ‘they have a crush on them’. This removal of responsibility leads to victim blaming, with many survivors being asked: ‘Were you drunk?’, ‘What were you wearing?’, ‘Why didn’t you come forward?’ and so on. These sorts of questions feed into rape culture and place blame on the victim.
On the other hand, when male survivors come forward, many are told they should have ‘enjoyed it’ and don’t receive the support and justice they deserve. When boys are growing up, we need to allow them to express their emotions, as well as teach them to take responsibility for their actions.
So what can we do to ensure we are not contributing to rape culture? Stop victim-blaming. Believe survivors. Push schools to change dress codes. Stop policing girls’ bodies. Hold assaulters accountable.
Written by Anoushka Joshi
Artwork by Aurora Brooks
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