 a realistic term for our society because we punish rapists. This assumption is quite far from the truth, as rape culture involves far more than legal measures against a crime. Rape culture can be defined as any environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture. Yes, we do have laws punishing rapists who are convicted (which in itself is a very small portion of rapists), however this does not invalidate rape culture. Rape culture goes far deeper, and a brief examination of a culture that uses exclusive phrases such as “boys will be boys” and popularizes the pursuit of women in popular media shows how deeply entrenched it is in our society.
Rape culture manifests itself through victim blaming, denial of factuality of survivors’ stories, objectification and making light of rape or its impact on an individual and a community, just to name a few. Rape culture allows perpetrators to believe either that their behavior is not wrong or that it is accepted within their community, both of which will likely lead to further assaults without fear of prosecution. The article that Briggs presented was itself an example of how blind many are to how rape culture affects how we think, shown perfectly through his dismissal of the term in favor of the more normalizing phrase “hookup culture,” excluding many other problems that arise and contribute to sexual assault..
The article mentioned that it is difficult to find evidence of rape culture in a community such as William and Mary, but instead I pose that it is easy to find examples of rape culture in our community. A community in which survivors fear discussing their experience because they may be treated differently, at a school that has a weak history of taking harsh measures against perpetrators, where students that make reports feel that the administration wants them to keep quiet, all indicate a real problem ingrained within rape culture. People on this campus have been forcibly intoxicated and locked in rooms against their will, where they were then assaulted. There is no “gray area” there. It is not someone’s responsibility to take the numerous measures outlined to prevent themselves from being assaulted, it is the perpetrators responsibility alone not to assault. It’s that simple.. Rather than offering the unconditional support that these people deserve, our community instead argues over blame and over whether rape actually occurs on campus, using the infallible thought-process of “I haven’t seen it, so it must not occur.” Rape and sexual assault does happen on this campus, and it affects us all.
We should use Mr. Brigg’s article as an opportunity to reflect on how we view sexual assault as a community, and critically discuss our influence on its prevalence as well as how we respond to it. I hope to see more articles about this topic, and hope that we can have a continuing discussion about sexual assault and its effect on our community. Lastly, a word to survivors, you are not at fault, there are many of us who care about you on this campus and you are not alone.
Gavin Oplinger is a member of the student organization Someone You Know. Email Gavin Oplinger at [email protected]
The title of the op-ed piece is “Rape Culture Exists at William and Mary” so what’s the point of following the title with a trigger warning about rape culture? Can you not see how stupid and infantilizing this is? Besides, there is no such thing as rape culture except in the minds of women’s and gender studies professors and students.
False rape accusation culture manifests itself through 100% believing alleged victim’s stories. And people who abhor rape can still crack jokes about it. It’s called gallows humor. Perhaps if more feminists volunteered for the armed forces they would understand that gallows humor is cathartic and not oppressive. But instead, they act like nannies dictating to everyone what is or is not permitted in polite society. Yawn.
“Its wishful thinking, not rape culture.” That would more accurately describe young feminists’ obsessive preoccupation with this “rapist next door” narrative.
I don’t think those using the term “rape culture” know what it means.
to say theres “rape culture” is to assert that rape itself is a CULTURAL NORM. of course rape is NOT a norm. convicted rapists are ridiculed, imprisoned, denied future employment etc. its as specious as saying theres a crime syndicate culture on campus because some bikes are stolen and some kids are selling weed. the claim denigrates those who actually do suffer in climates and nations where there is a real rape culture.
You can’t rape the willing.
If William and Mary and its feminists had it their way, every act of sex between two parties would be classified as rape.
TIME magazine states that it’s time to end the “Rape Culture Hysteria.” PragerU asserts that the 1 in 5 number is far off base and is more like 1 in 20. Fox News has recently reported the “Rape Culture” is about as mythical as as the Griffin.
William and Mary uses the legacy of Thomas Jefferson to propagate liberal, progressive, Marxist, and irrational thinking and when confronted with truths, bury the individuals that speak the truth. The reality is that Thomas Jefferson would be shameful of the College’s actions and mishandling of young men’s lives. Yet “the Coillege” continues to use his name as if he endorses their actions.
Let us be clear here – this is not about rape, but about false-rape accusations, the propagation of an asserted and mythical “Rape Culture,” and the willingness of William and Mary to SOCIALLY RAPE young men’s lives over false claims to fuhrer THEIR agenda.
And oh yeah, by the way, take a polygraph Kathyrn Garrahan. I did and I would take another one right now!
There is no denying that you stopped our encounter and their is no denying I listened. I forgive you for lying Kathryn, and there’s no doubt that we lost touch that night, fell out of sync or were just sloppy. But you know what? You have the moral obligation to come forward and tell the truth. You KNOW that when you put your hands on my chest and said we should stop, AND I repeated back to you that we should stop? WE stopped. It’s time to set the record straight. Just BE HONEST!
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