I want to start this post off with what rape culture is. according to Wikipedia Rape culture is a concept that examines a culture in which rape is pervasive and normalized due to societal attitudes about gender and sexuality. Rape culture is a serious problem in America. Now those new to this concept might find it a bit outrageous that I'm saying that America considers rape to be a norm, but rape culture is so much more complicated then that. It's not necessarily a thing that is right in your face it is a lot of subtitle things.
Honestly rape culture is such a big topic this post in no way is going to hit all what rape culture is in America. If I can though I want to focus mainly on the type of rape culture young adults face.
A lot of the problem comes from victim blaming. Saying that because of what they wore they deserve it. Or school's not letting women wear tank tops and shorts or skirts because "It will distract the male students" because "boys will be boys". Or just assuming that the victim is wrong. That is why a lot of victims don't say a word because they fear no one will believe them.
We as a society need also start teaching that rape is not okay instead of just teaching people mostly women how to avoid being raped. It reinforces the idea that rapists can keep doing what they have been doing and puts the blame back on the victim.
Here is a article of everyday examples of rape culture to show more examples, and one from Time.
Another big problem that promotes rape culture is rape jokes. No they aren't actually funny and they can be triggering to those who have been raped. You don't know who is a victim and who isn't because it can be anyone close to you but fears telling people. Yeah and the soap in the prison bit isn't funny or cute. It is a rape joke and it is upsetting When you laugh at these kinds of jokes it teaches people that it's a okay topic. It can reinforce Don't do it and if you know someone who makes these kinds of jokes make sure they know that it's not funny and not okay.
Here is a article with more facts on rape and rape culture in colleges.
Then I want to leave with this video of a Columbia University student Emma Sulkoicz who if famous for carrying her mattress everywhere she went as a project and a way to protest what happened to her and how the school didn't give her justice
