By: Tuulia Koponen
Staff Writer
She’s wearing a low-cut top, a tight, short skirt and has a beer in hand. Our society would tell us that she’s “asking” for rape due to her appearance at this moment in time.
It does not matter if rape was the last thing on her mind when she picked out her outfit and picked up a beer; due to her appearance and behavior, she’s to blame if rape occurs. Or so society thinks. So, as a result of this mindset, rape occurs.
In the Rust Belt town of Steubenville, Ohio two football stars, 16-year-old, Ma’lik Richmond, and 17-year-old, Trent Mays, according to Ohio law, are accused of raping an unconscious, drunken 16-year-old girl in August 2012.
The 16-year-old girl who “cried rape” in the recent Steubenville, Ohio rape case after drinking to the point of unconsciousness and having two boys take advantage of her faces comments such as these posted on Twitter:
“She was asking for it.”
“The Steubenville story is all too familiar. Be responsible for your actions, ladies, before your drunken decisions ruin innocent lives.”
“So you got drunk at a party and two people take advantage of you. That’s not rape; you’re just a loose drunk.”
She in no way “asked” or “wanted” rape to occur.
Her decision to drink four shots of vodka, two beers and an alcoholic slushy was a bad one, but it isn’t to blame for two boys forcing themselves on her. The blame is on no one but them for doing so and committing rape.
It is disgusting to even read that someone feels sympathy for the two teenage boys. The victim didn’t ruin innocent lives by reporting the rape – they ruined their own lives.
Rape shouldn’t be committed. Period. No one should have to go through it no matter how revealing their clothing or how much they drink. You aren’t “asking” for rape and shouldn’t feel any guilt if it occurs. A woman’s inability to say “no” does not equate to a “yes”.
The rapist should be held responsible in all cases. Someone taking advantage of someone in such a horrendous way is disgusting and should never occur or garner any sympathy. You aren’t innocent if you commit rape.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a star football player like the Steubenville boys or a drug addict; you’re just as guilty as the next person if you force sexual acts in any way.
It is not her fault if someone rapes her. The victim’s decisions or inability to make a decision aren’t to blame for the rapists’ decision to rape her.
Just because someone appears as though they wouldn’t mind having sex doesn’t mean they actually do. In fact, no one wants to be raped. Sex should never be forced upon someone. It is humiliating, disturbingand not right.
It doesn’t matter if you wear the tightest, most revealing clothing or are drunk; you are just as undeserving of rape as the most innocent, modest girl on the street.
If this happens to you, do not convince yourself otherwise and do not feel guilty. Seek justice.
Therefore, the blame and guilt for rape should stop being placed on the victim and be placed on the rapist. It’s the rapist’s fault if their life is ruined due to their action of committing rape, not the victim’s.
She is wearing a low cut top, a tight, short skirt and has a beer in hand. Or maybe she’s sprawled out unconscious on the couch. In any case, a girl is not “asking” for rape, and if it occurs, the only thing she should ask for is justice.
