What is Rape Culture?
Although it is hard to find an all-encompassing description of rape culture due to its complex nature, Marshall University defines it as being "an environment in which rape is prevalent and in which sexual violence is normalized and excused in the media and popular culture".
Examples of rape culture include:
Examples of rape culture include:
- Blaming the victim
- Trivializing sexual assault
- Jokes containing mention of rape or sexual assault
- Not taking rape claims seriously
- Teaching people not to get raped instead of not to rape
Rape Culture in Victim Blaming
One of the most common, and obvious places we see rape culture in action is during the blaming of victims. Victim blaming is when someone claims they have been sexually assaulted and is then told that it is their fault either because of the way they were dressed, their sexual history, or their sobriety level.
Common victim blaming phrases include:
The presence of statements like these not only make victims feel even more guilt, shame, and embarrassment than they already do, but also excuse the actions of the person who actually committed the crime. While blaming the victim may provide individuals with a false sense of security because "they would never do that", all it is really doing is marginalizing people who have been through a very traumatic event.
Common victim blaming phrases include:
- "They were asking for it"
- "Boys will be boys"
- "It wouldn't have happened if they didn't drink so much"
- "No wonder she was raped... did you see what she was wearing?"
- "They shouldn't have been out so late at night"
- "They have sex all the time, this was no different"
The presence of statements like these not only make victims feel even more guilt, shame, and embarrassment than they already do, but also excuse the actions of the person who actually committed the crime. While blaming the victim may provide individuals with a false sense of security because "they would never do that", all it is really doing is marginalizing people who have been through a very traumatic event.
Rape Culture in the News
The news is a great source for information on a wide range of topics. Unfortunately, some of this information is tainted with remnants of rape culture. One of the most recent examples of this came after a 16 year-old girl was sexually assaulted during a house party in Steubenville, Ohio. Shortly after the two accused teenage boys were found guilty of rape, CNN released their breaking news update. However, the issue is that during this story, the reporter seemed to be lending her sympathies to the boys because this verdict meant that their lives would change forever, and ignored the affect this crime would have on the victim.
Below is the video of the controversial CNN report.
Below is the video of the controversial CNN report.
Although incidents like this one are not all that common, they can still do a lot of damage when they do happen. Television news reports like this are watched by millions of people around the world, and having the focus of one being on the hardships of being a rapist can perpetuate the issue of rape culture, and even shape the opinions of some individuals.
Rape Culture in Music
Music has been know to calm people down, illicit emotion, and make creativity flow. However, when songs contain lyrics about rape and sexual violence, it can be detrimental to the health of a society. The more songs like these that are published , and then purchased, the more normalized and trivialized rape becomes. People look up to recording artists and aspire to be just like them. So, if their heros are claiming to sexually assault people, they might begin to think that it's an O.K. thing to do.
Below is a small list of songs and lyrics that involve rape, starting with a 10-week leader of the Billboard charts.
I know you want it."
I f*cked her from the back, with my gun to her back
I left up out his crib, with dolla and purple hat"
Heard of me before, see whore, you're the kind of girl that I'd assault
And rape then figure why not try not to make your p***y wider?
F*ck you with an umbrella, then open it up while the sh*t's inside ya
I'm the kinda guy that's mild but I might flip and get a little bit wilder"
To the Young Money gang baby
Our navy, our ate and leave and rape your lady
Or maybe take more whores, show me your titty"
Rape wives and then laugh at husbands" (woah)"
I mean I'm raping yo lover
Leave her taste in my rubber"
And you call this shit rape but I think that rape's fun"
This list is only a very small portion of songs that exist that either normalize, trivialize, or even condone rape and sexual assault.
Below is a small list of songs and lyrics that involve rape, starting with a 10-week leader of the Billboard charts.
- Robin Thicke Featuring T.I. and Pharrell - "Blurred Lines"
I know you want it."
- Three 6 Mafia - "Let's Plan a Robbery"
I f*cked her from the back, with my gun to her back
I left up out his crib, with dolla and purple hat"
- Eminem - "Stay Wide Awake"
Heard of me before, see whore, you're the kind of girl that I'd assault
And rape then figure why not try not to make your p***y wider?
F*ck you with an umbrella, then open it up while the sh*t's inside ya
I'm the kinda guy that's mild but I might flip and get a little bit wilder"
- Tyga - "Ice Cream Paintjob"
To the Young Money gang baby
Our navy, our ate and leave and rape your lady
Or maybe take more whores, show me your titty"
- Hopsin - "Blood Energy Potion"
Rape wives and then laugh at husbands" (woah)"
- Lil Wayne Featuring Big Tymers - "Young Playa"
I mean I'm raping yo lover
Leave her taste in my rubber"
- Tyler, The Creator - "Blow"
And you call this shit rape but I think that rape's fun"
This list is only a very small portion of songs that exist that either normalize, trivialize, or even condone rape and sexual assault.
Rape Culture in the Media
The media has been under scrutiny for many years because of the negative effect it has on self-esteem and body image. However, what people tend to miss is the fact that the media also participates in rape culture. Whenever we turn on the TV, or open a magazine, we are bombarded with images and scenarios of this. Whether it is a cute boy on your favourite show just not getting the hint, or a movie character getting made fun of for being a "prude", our media is perpetuating this issue.
I can't even begin to count the amount of times that I have watched a fictional character get shut down by their love interest but, continue to pursue them, or the amount of times that this persistence has been rewarded by the inevitable breakdown. Unfortunately, what these shows fail to mention is that this is actually a form of sexual harassment. The children and teens of our society are being taught that if you ignore someones wishes, they will eventually give in to you, and you will live happily ever after. This of course, is not true. All it does is makes for uncomfortable situations and possible lawsuits or restraining orders.
Rape Culture in the media does not always have to be moving to have a negative impact. Below is a slideshow of different advertisements that portray rape culture or sexual violence.
I can't even begin to count the amount of times that I have watched a fictional character get shut down by their love interest but, continue to pursue them, or the amount of times that this persistence has been rewarded by the inevitable breakdown. Unfortunately, what these shows fail to mention is that this is actually a form of sexual harassment. The children and teens of our society are being taught that if you ignore someones wishes, they will eventually give in to you, and you will live happily ever after. This of course, is not true. All it does is makes for uncomfortable situations and possible lawsuits or restraining orders.
Rape Culture in the media does not always have to be moving to have a negative impact. Below is a slideshow of different advertisements that portray rape culture or sexual violence.