Editorial Response: Sexual Assault and Rape Myths in Society

This report analyzes an article discussing sexual assault and rape myths, specifically focusing on the article "Can she consent to sex after drinking?" by Margaret Wente. The student identifies and critiques two prevalent rape myths: "She Lied" and "Rape is a Trivial Event", explaining how these myths are perpetuated in society and the problematic assumptions made in Wente's column. The report connects these myths to course material, highlighting the importance of consent and the detrimental effects of victim-blaming. The report concludes with an editorial response, challenging the column's contribution to rape culture and advocating for a better understanding of sexual assault and its impact on individuals and society. The analysis emphasizes the need to address the issue of sexual assault in colleges and universities to protect students and combat the prevailing "rape culture."

Running Head: Sexual Assault
Sexual Assault
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Sexual Assault 1
Rape and Sexual Assault
The two rape myths that the paper is going to discuss are mentioned below:
 She Lied
 Rape is a Trivial Event
Through the thorough analysis of the article given, it should be noted that rape happens
because people do not believe in seeking permission from the opposite gender and women
stay quiet after acknowledging such events. Silence of women gives power to men that they
are superior authority in the world who could do anything with the oppressed section that is
women. The given article works upon the concept of college where students are consistently
facing sexual assaults and rape problems in the society. Many statements were given saying
that consent is sexy, without consent sex is not sex at all (Wente, 2014).
But what if the rapist claims that the victim is lying as it is one of the biggest myths
prevailing in rape prone societies where it is believed that the victim is lying due to which
they are asked difficult questions again and again in different ways so as to understand the
fact. However, one needs to understand that why would a girl lie that she has been raped
when her integrity is at stake. It is not okay to have sex with a drunk girl or a child just
because they are not in their sense (Brandon University, 2020).
Relating it to another rape myth that rape is a trivial event, it should be noted that sex
might be a trivial event for few but rape or sexual assault can never be a trivial event. It can
give disorientation and distress to the people with whom it happens. The drunk girl or
youngster might not understand what is happening to them in that situation but after time
passes, they exactly get to know that something wrong has happened with them. Therefore,
consent is important and everyone should understand that. It was explained in the article that

Sexual Assault 2
sexual assault is ubiquitous, does that mean that it is okay for the predators to perform such
acts in their power (McMahon, & Banyard, 2012).
And then simply if a girl would complain about facing such situations then she would be
asked inappropriate questions and would be called liar. Rape and assault are not trivial and
they should not be considered lightly because it might give a permanent trauma to the victim.
Women addressed that the level of harassment has aroused to 60 per cent their college which
is not an appropriate figure. The article states that vast majority of case on the college
premises involved drinks and alcohol. It is important to understand that having sex with a girl
when she is drunk is also wrong because she is not in a condition to fight back (Reling,
Barton, Becker, & Valasik, 2018).
In addition, women have themselves made rape and assault a petty issue because they do
not report it and think that it happens with everyone and it is okay when actually it is not
(Peterson, 2018). Harassment and rape are two crimes that are increasing with a greater speed
in the society because of the myth that these are trivial events. However, if a person will see
the damage that they have possessed through their actions, then they will get to know that
rape or sexual assault is not trivial or petty issue. Students studying in colleges all around the
world are facing such problems and it has emerged as the need of the era to implement
actions to protect the interest of the students and save them from the so called “rape culture”.
Also, it should be noted that the rape culture has made it worse for the women to live their
lives normally because in the name of protection, they are being caged and bounded by
several regulations (Stiebert, 2019). In order to get a rape free culture, it is important to give
high importance to this crime of rape and sexual assault and believe on the facts that women
say.

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References
Brandon University., (2020). Rape Culture Retrieved from <
https://www.brandonu.ca/sexualviolence/education-prevention/rape-culture/>
McMahon, S., & Banyard, V. L. (2012). When can I help? A conceptual framework for the
prevention of sexual violence through bystander intervention. Trauma, Violence, &
Abuse, 13(1), 3-14.
Peterson, K. (2018). Victim Or Villain: The Effects of Rape Culture and Rape Myths on
Justice for Rape Victims. Val. UL Rev., 53, 467.
Reling, T. T., Barton, M. S., Becker, S., & Valasik, M. A. (2018). Rape myths and hookup
culture: An exploratory study of US college students' perceptions. Sex Roles, 78(7-8),
501-514.
Stiebert, J. (2019). Rape Myths, the Bible, and# MeToo. Routledge.
Wente., M. (2014). Can she consent to sex after drinking? Retrieved from
<http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/can-sheconsent-to-sex-after-
drinking/article17158564/ >