Blame+Rapists,+Not+Boobs

__ Blame Rapists, Not Boobs __ Emily Duncan n8909415 Tutor: Michelle Newcomb Tutorial: 9-10am Friday

**//(Figure 1: A cultural artefact representing mainstream society being a part of a fluctuating rape culture, that essentially condones and excuses sexual assault, particularly towards women victims)//**

**__THE ARTEFACT__** The following artefact presented above is a simple yet effective sign held up by a protestor, claiming that modern society teaches “don’t get raped, rather than don’t rape”. Research states that this slogan originally emerged as part of the "SlutWalk" movement” (Cassidy, M. 2011). It has become a key expression of protest against the idea that mainstream society is essentially a part of a culture that considers the production and maintenance of sexual assault, such as rape, to be so normative that people ultimately believe that rape is inevitable (Najumi, M. 2013). Therefore, opinions in relation to women especially are formed in regards to what they wear, how much they drink or how they portray their body via the media in order to ‘avoid’ getting raped if possible.

**__THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE__** In essence of public health, the signboard artefact above (see figure 1) represents the production of a fluctuating rape culture within modern society. Rape culture can be defined as a feminist concept which links rape and sexual violence to prevalent attitudes and behaviours that normalize, excuse, tolerate or even condone rape (Najumi, M. 2013). Essentially, our civilization is continuing to discreetly supporting rape culture through various forms of communicative mediums such as media, advertising, jokes, TV, film and social norms, which ultimately question the value behind the sexual empowerment of women, in relation to desire, pressure and consent.

**__LITERATURE REVIEW__** The aspects of desire, seduction, pressure and consent in relation to sexual violence or rape have become the taboo subject of feminist theory today. Modern society is constantly being seduced by the myth that rape is about sex and not about power, and that rape is about lust and not oppressive violence (Najumi, M. 2013), thus allowing rape culture to subtly continue to destroy the sexual empowerment of women today. A common misconception is that we have to agree with rape in order to be a part of a rape culture, however this is not true. Research states that rape culture is not essentially about accommodating or agreeing to an actual rape, but more so partaking in a culture that publicizes this offence as a tolerable issue via various forms of social media, norms, celebrity icons and advertisement (Burkett, M., Hamilton, K. 2012). A rape culture tolerates many forms of sexual violence, such as rape, hence why this issue continues to flourish. What’s more is that many women are often victimized by rape and are not only doubted by the public, but are also blamed and put to shame for provoking violence against them (Najumi, M. 2013). As a result of these beliefs, society persists to set a tone that declares rape to be of no major concern, or instead what some women deserve. This makes is easier for various forms of communicative media to publicize appealing and sexual messages of women, of which exposes a suggestive, yet false idea to society about female sexual consent (Renzetti, C.M., Edleson, J.L. 2008). In essence of this, mass media in mainstream society effectively manages to wrap up centuries of oppression into one tiny hour or two and illustrate it totally according to rape culture's social roles and ideas (Burkett, M., etl. 2012). Women are often portrayed as party icons; bad girls who are “just looking for it”, as represented through films such as ‘American Pie’, hence why they are automatically victimized by majority of society. This line of thinking undeniably leads many young women into feeling pressured, confused and directed into an unsafe sexual situation, thus sustaining how influential the media is in modern society Najumi, M. (2013). In relation to the connection between consent, desire and pressure, feminist theories state that young women often consent either towards sex in intimate relationships (i.e. after dating for at least three months) or in casual sexual encounters (i.e. one-off sexual encounters or ongoing sexual interactions that lack commitment) (Lamb, S., Peterson, Z.D. 2012). However, unfortunately many young women fail to directly recognize the consequences that may or will arise via consent through suggestive behaviours, and so in the end feel like they have no choice but to follow through with intercourse, even during unpleasable or forced encounters (Lamb, S., etl. 2012). In relation to this, evidence shows that in mainstream society it is common for young women to portray their own sense of personal lust and passion through sex, in order to fulfil their expected role to please a partner or desired other’s sexual requests and needs, rather than their own (Ogden, S. 2013). Research also states that many women do live in fear of telling the truth about rape, as they dread what their peers; family or partner may say in return (Remer, R., etl. 1988). As a result, the responsibility is often taken away from the male rapist by assuming ideas like the woman was annoying, drunk, overly emotional, and clearly ‘full of shame’ about a one night stand, allowing the male figure to be portrayed as confident, popular and unaware of his behaviour. And so in due course, the offence is condoned by society and left to remain hidden beneath rape culture. What’s more, and is often overlooked, is that this ability of women to engage in casual sex is commonly expressed to the public through various forms of iconic mainstream media such as Sex and the City or various popular, overtly sexual icons like Britney Spears or Paris Hilton. Author Sharon Lamb (2012) expresses that, // “Many younger girls look up to older teens in the media for guidance and information about what it means to grow up sexually, however instead they are instead gaining a false perception of sexual consent.” // //Ultimately, this places those young women into a culture that overlooks the consequences of careless erotic behaviours, via the concealed means of voluptuous forms of media and this is exactly why this public health issue continues to negatively affect societies (Lamb, S., etl. 2012).//

Evidence shows that the covert nature of rape culture to often goes unnoticed. Its disposition is extremely pervasive and subtle, as it continues to fluctuate in ways that are considered completely normal in our society (Ogden, S. 2013). This synthesis between rape and culture too often sexualizes violence, blames victims, and propagates myths about race, gender, class and sexual assault within modern society, hence why this issue is such a major public health issue (Lamb, S., etl. 2012). Theorists argue that this influence of gender on sexual violence is not natural, but learned, as it perpetuates the norms of sexual aggression towards women whilst lacking an understanding of consent. This allows violence to be portrayed as ‘sexy’ and so sets and encouraging tone towards rape (Renzetti. C., etl. 2008). additionally, researchers have also stated that most rapes occur between people who know one another. In 2008, author Vincent Parrillo declared that majority of women rape victims have in fact been frequently assaulted by their husbands, ex-husbands, current or past boyfriends, relatives, and acquaintances, with statistics showing that stranger rape only accounts for approximately 20% of all offences. What’s more is that rapists and victims tend to be of the same race and age group and additionally appear to be “normal” in personality, appearance, intelligence, behaviour, and sexual drive (Parrillo, V.N. 2008), thus verifying why rape is portrayed so normally and secreted within modern culture. Moreover, based on their findings, researchers have estimated that over 25% of all females will suffer at least one physical violation (rape, sexual abuse, etc.) during their life (Parrillo, V.N. 2008). Consequently, this offence will certainly change not only the victim’s lifestyle through concerns such as personal violation, injury, constant fear, lack of social interaction and the potential for relationship deterioration, but also affect their life patterns (Tadros, V. 2006). This undeniably verifies why condoning rape within a culture is such a growing public health concern. Today, researchers are primarily using methodologies such as federal victimization surveys to not only explore the fundamental perceptions of rape within a society, but also uncover many more unreported offences (Renzetti, C., etl. 2008). Semantic Differential Methodology is one of the most common forms of studies used, as it essentially measures the connotative meanings behind the events, perceptions and concepts of rape. In addition it is also used to derive the attitude towards this issue via a sample of chosen patrons who have generally been victimized themselves or know of a female who has (Remer, R., & Witten, B. J. 1988).Furthermore, studies show that while rape theory proclaims it to be more or less an act of violence targeted at gender suppression and control, there is still much debate about whether rape is in fact a sexual or violent act (Remer, R., etl. 1988). To explore further, researchers have aimed to also measure the less conscious aspects of rape, that is, to investigate the more covert reactions of victims and other individuals in general (Remer, R., etl. 1988). In addition, differences found between these factors are also often compared in order to develop an understanding on why, where and how rape culture generally occurs, based on gender and/or socioeconomic level.

Ultimately, in view of all the recent attention in the media towards rape culture and rape victims, studies still show that males and females view rape, assault, seduction, and making love differently. While both genders view rape and making love as dissimilar, males moreover view seduction as similar to making love, hence why women are generally victimized (Remer, R., etl. 1988). . Nonetheless, these methodologies do have limitations, of which researchers are trying to adapt to. The variability in many of the found results is stated to be diverse due to differences in procedure, sample size, and estimating processes (Renzetti, C., etl. 2008). A common problem found is that much of the collected survey/ intervention data only accounts for those rapes reported to police. However in modern society, rape is by far a highly under-reported crime (Parrillo, V.N. 2008). Statistics approximate that 49 percent of all violent crimes go unreported, mainly due to the fact that the attack was made by a spouse, partner, or family member, and so victims are often unwilling to report the offences as they see it as a private or a personal matter (Parrillo, V.N. 2008).

**__ CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ANALYSIS __** When attempting to understand or redress a public health issue, such as rape culture, it is crucial to consider the social and cultural aspects which are affected by the issue. For example, sexualized images of women in magazines or advertisements, misogynist forms of music, degrading language, TV, gaming and celebrity icons are all socially and culturally constructed attributes of which promote rape culture through false ideas of sexual consent and desire, particularly towards women (Pearson, A. 2000). As a result, many groups, movements, social changes or cultural forces that negatively influence individuals often occur, hence the importance of discussing this issue. Essentially, rape culture entails and reinforces normative heterosexuality, and so requires an active male to act upon an active female, with force. As a result of this, rape culture clearly persists to connect gender and sexuality, however manages to tolerate the violence behind the offence, thus demonstrating the negative cultural affects (Renzetti, C., etl. 2008). Evidence shows that many women who are victimized by rape are not only doubted, but are also blamed for bringing violence upon themselves (Remer, R., etl. 1988). Social features and trends such as certain types of clothing, the consumption of alcohol/drugs or being at particular locations are some examples of how a woman can unintentionally “provoke” a man into raping her, hence why it is important to be aware of these outcomes when inhabiting in a rape culture (Renzetti, C., etl. 2008). Additionally, it is also important to discuss these issues to ensure that an effective approach towards making women feel equally as superior to men is being considered. Research also shows that other social and cultural categories, such as race, class, sexuality and age also affect a rape culture's perception of women as victims. Rape is more likely to be seen as deviant when victimizing women with more ‘power’ (Renzetti, C., etl. 2008). For example, when a Latina teenager from a low socio-economical neighborhood is raped, she is automatically less likely to be believed than a white senior citizen from an upper-class neighborhood. As a result of this, researchers are able to prove that not all individuals or cultures are affected equally by this public health issue, which then sets a critical pathway for experts who are aiming to determine where, how, and why rape cultures will occur more dramatically in different societies, in order to make patrons aware and safe.

**__ ARTEFACT ANALYSIS AND PERSONAL LEARNING REFLECTION __** Upon reflection, my artefact thoroughly represents the raging passion people have towards terminating rape culture within society. As shown, the sign is being held within a protest and displays a message that is short and to the point, which really caught my eye. Personally, I never realised just how condoning and tolerating modern society is when it comes to sexual violence. Throughout high school, my peers and I always considered to different forms media as a sense of direction when it came to aspects such as relationships, appearance and behaviours. For example, as a teenage girl celebrity icons such as Miranda Kerr or Miley Cyrus always had an influence on how my friends and I wanted to look or act, and as a result of this assessment piece I have come to realise that mainstream media does have an immense effect on our behaviours, even though we don’t realise it. I have discovered that modern society truly captures the “sex sells” idea and as a result has caught the public eye through erotic advertisements, movie scenes or songs that essentially make consent sound “sexy”. Ultimately, I feel that many teenage girls are greatly influenced by celebrity icons and advertisements at such a young age for so long, that by the time they leave school, these behaviours are considered socially normal and custom to them. Therefore, as they continue to engage in these “normal” trends such as dressing certain ways or consuming alcohol and drugs, these women are essentially putting themselves at a social risk of suggestive rape, even when they don’t desire intercourse. In due course, I feel that women are unfairly victimised by both men and society, and are essentially taken for granted. Society tries to hide the fact that it is constantly being seduced by the myth that rape is about sex and not about power through its money-making, mainstream media, hence why the message “society teaches don’t get raped, rather than don’t rape” is so effective. In my future learning I will be sure to investigate the deeper meaning of any given task, in order to grasp the concept properly and make a connection with the task, as done in this piece.

**__ Reflection __** Below are two links to my reflective comments on two other pages. Please see my comment next to the subject boxes that contain my student number, as stated below; 1. Subject: “n8909415 – Well done! []

2. Subject: “n8909415 – Great job!” [] **__References__** Burkett, M., Hamilton, K. (2012). Postfeminist sexual agency: Young women's negotiations of sexual consent. SAGE Journals: Sexualities, 15, 815. doi: 10.1177/1363460712454076

Cassidy, M., 2011. “Don’t Get Raped” vs. “Don’t Rape”: An Inquiry. The Good Men Project. Retrieved from []

Guckenheimer, D. (2008). Rape culture. In C. Renzetti, & J. Edleson (Eds.), Encyclopaedia of interpersonal violence. (pp. 581-583). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. doi: 10.4135/9781412963923.n387

Lamb, S., Peterson, Z.D. (2012). Adolescent Girls’ Sexual Empowerment: Two Feminists Explore the Concept. Sex Roles //:// A Journal of Research, 66 (11-12), pp 703-712. Retrieved from[]

Najumi, M. (2013).We Live In A Rape Culture [Web Log Post]. Retrieved from []

Ogden, S. (2013). Five Ways Rape Culture Exists Unnoticed And Goes Unchecked In Our Everyday Life [Web Log Post]. Retrieved October 24, 2013, from[]

Pearson, A. (2000). Rape culture: Media and message. Off our Backs, 30, 13. Retrieved from []

Remer, R., & Witten, B. J. (1988). Conceptions of rape. Violence and Victims, 3(3), 217-32. Retrieved from []

Schmitt, F. (2008). Rape. In V. Parrillo (Ed.), Encyclopaedia of Social Problems (pp. 749-751). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. doi:.4135/9781412963930.n451

Tadros, V. (2006). Rape Without Consent. Oxford Journal of Legal Studies, 26 (3), pp. 515–543. doi:10.1093/ojls/gql016 = =