Rape: The Selfish Crime
On May 19, 2015 a student at Columbia University walked with a dorm mattress on her back at her graduation. The mattress was a symbol of the violation she suffered when she was raped during her sophomore year of college. Emma Sulkowicz reported her attacker to the school board and authorities only to have her case dismissed. Even after being humiliated by having to thoroughly give detail about how and where the rape occurred. Two other young women came forward and accused her rapist of raping them as well. Those cases too were dismissed. After no further action was taken or made against the rapist, Sulkowicz decided to carry the mattress on which she was raped until her attacker no longer continued to attend her university. Unfortunately, that day never came. He was never tried.
Rape is an all too reoccurring crime that has immensely shaken the safety and security of all victims of this inhumane act of violence. Like Emma Sulkowicz there are countless of victims that have not been heard or have not been given the justice they deserve. This unjust crime violates the victim’s right to have agency over their own bodies. It offers no opportunity for consent and furthermore, devalues the victims body and their emotional well-being. According to a special report conducted by the United States Department of Justice, “. . .the rate of sexual violence against women and girls age 12 or older fell 64 percent in a decade and has remained stable for five years”. However, despite these great achievements in numbers, rape is still a very prevalent issue that many are still victim to. While victims have constantly and extensively been taught that they must learn to defend themselves, be wary of what they wear, and be cautious about how much and what they drink, the real issue has gone unattended. Society has failed to truly tackle the real problem, the aggressor. In order to lower the number of rape victims, there should be a greater effort in teaching individuals to not commit the crime rather than promoting a “how not to get raped” ideal. This can be achieved by promoting anti-rape movements and by actively bringing awareness to their cause.
In a recent speech, U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson spoke up about gender inequality and campus sexual assault. In her speech she movingly conveys the worries that all women are burdened with. She asks, “What if, as is the case in far too many universities, we are given the message that sexual violence isn’t actually a form of violence?’’ We have seen time and time again how victims of assault are disregarded or discredited due to society’s ignorance on this matter. It is not difficult to understand why most sexual assault victims are afraid to speak up. Emma Watson goes on to say that it is important to acknowledge these issues through a strong support system with which we empathize with the survivor. It is not just important to talk about it but to actually act on it and promote a difference on universities all around the world.
Rape is a selfish and violent crime. This is something that everyone should be aware of. We must continue to press forward and fiercely advocate the importance of speaking out against rape in order to make a change. It is an uphill battle with more than its fair share of complications and problems. However, we must not lose the hope and strength to fight for these issues. True change will come when we are given back our sense of security and safety to live in an environment that fully advocates an anti-rape society.
