No
Is Not Enough
Introduction
Imagine you are a student on a large
college campus. You and a group of friends are sitting outside of class rummaging
through social media, when you stumble upon a tweet advertising a party. You
ask your friends if they would be interested, and you all agree on Friday night
plans. Friday night arrives, and as you get dressed you have a couple of
drinks. After arriving at the party, you have a couple more drinks, and now
have drifted away from friends. A stranger to you but the star quarterback on
the football team approaches you and asks to leave the party, you agree and
confirm with your friends you are leaving. Once in the car, the stranger offers
another drink, and you accept. Minutes pass and you drift into a deep sleep. The
next morning arrives and you awaken. You have no clothes on, no idea where you
are, and you have blood on your clothes. Your body aches and you are profoundly
hungover. You have become a victim. You have become the 5% of women on college
campuses who have experienced rape or attempted rape every week (Kilpatrick,
Resnick, et al.). With the introduction of social media and alcohol abuse into
modern society, rape has become a much easier task to accomplish. But, is rape
inevitable? No, there is a solution to this epidemic, and it will take more
than a few advertisements to overcome.
History/Effects/ Examples
The first instances of rape began
with The Code of Hammurabi, dating back to 1780 B.C. (Eichelberger). The Code of Hammurabi stated that if a
woman was a virgin and she was raped, she was “property damage against her
father” (Eichelberger). Furthermore, rape is mentioned in the bible in the book
of Deuteronomy, and has even been discussed as early as the 18th and
19th centuries(Eichelberger). However, all these very early
instances of rape did not punish the perpetrator, but rather the woman. It was
not until the 1980’s that rape became recognized and the offender was
recognized and interrogated.
Though the issue of rape on college
campuses has only recently become a major issue in the early 2000’s, many cases
have been researched and reported in the 1980’s (O'Connor). This may be the reasoning behind why the
epidemic has only recently become a topic of discussion. Rape has never been an
easy subject to digest, especially for the victim. Many cases have either been
overlooked, or never introduced because the victim is afraid to speak out. The
issue for society as a whole is defining exactly what rape is. Many states
classify rape differently and have different penalties for the perpetrator, if
any at all. For example, states such as California limit rape to the issue of
penetration(O’Connor). However, Alabama limits rape to only partners of
opposite sexes (O’Connor). Due to this wide range of definitions it is hard to
convict the offender, and therefore many get off with no punishment, leaving
them to act again. This being only one reason why the epidemic is not only a
community or state issue, but it is now nationwide.
An even more profound issue paired
with the epidemic is that “rape is the most underreported crime, according to
the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, which estimates that 63 percent
of sexual assaults are never reported to police” (O’Connor). The numbers are
even smaller if you only consider college students (O’Connor). Because the
victims have experienced such trauma, and due to many circumstances which
involve alcohol, the victims are ashamed and never bring light to the
situation. Especially on college campuses where, “fewer than 5 percent of
completed and attempted rapes of women… were reported to law enforcement
officials” (O’Connor). For the fear of not being taken seriously or being
ashamed of themselves, many victims have continued to live their lives with
this dark secret. Not only have they endured the trauma of that incident, but
they now have to be constantly reminded of what once happen to them.
Not only has rape become an issue
for the victim but sometimes even the proposed “offender”. In the past years,
there has been many accusations of rape that have been proved to be false. This
too may contribute to the troubles an actual rape victim may have in the courtroom.
Rape is a very serious offense, not only to the victim but to the families of
both the victim and the perpetrator. This offense allows for so many emotions
to overcome, feelings of anger, regret, shame, and many more come with an
offense such as rape. The issue has been pushed so many times that many court
rooms may see the cases as a “boy who cried wolf” scenario. For example,
according to New York Daily news, Nikki Yovino of South Setauket, NY, accused two
Sacred Heart University football players of pulling her in a bathroom and
raping her. Once, pressured with the information provided by a witness, she
admitted to lying and is now facing charges for this crime (Boroff). Because
this young woman, and many others, have made these terrible accusations, women
who actually have had the audacity to come out with their story are not given
nearly as much credit as they should.
Rape is a much bigger epidemic when you
realize the men or women who did not live to tell their story. Every 6.2
minutes a rape is reported and of those, how many ended in a death (Solnit,
Rebecca)? This has very quietly become an epidemic, and every now and then an
exceptional case may reach the news but not near enough awareness has been made
for these victims. In 2008, 44,000 victims were killed after being sexually
assaulted (Catalano, et al.). Many cases have been reported, but one in
particular, “the rape and gruesome murder of a young woman on a bus in New
Delhi on December 16 was treated as an exceptional incident” (Solnit). This
incident brought lots of news coverage not only to the New Delhi area but
across the nation. However, like most rape cases it fell to the background and
has not been mentioned since. Rape cases like these which are much bigger than
a typical college party rape, should gain a tremendous amount of publicity, but
there should also be something done about them. Not only will holding the
perpetrator responsible punish them, but it will leave a message for others not
to follow in their footsteps.
Lastly, the issue of a “party culture” has
become yet another excuse for the perpetrator. Though this may be a valid point
to make in another less severe situation, it is no excuse for sexual assault. One
situation in particular made news headlines, ex-Stanford athlete, Brock Turner,
had many of his relatives and his friends on his side stating, “this wasn't
rape... This was idiot boys and girls having too much to drink. A kid’s life
should not be ruined, Turner’s dad argued, by ‘twenty minutes of action’”
(Dockterman).
Turner also stated that he had been, “shattered-not by remorse over the assault
but by party culture” (Dockterman). Again, this is not an excuse, just as
Turner’s life may have been ruined after twenty minutes, so was that victim’s
life. Though Turner’s choice may have been a mistake, or he me have had a lapse
of judgement, he still made the decision and as a result he should be punished.
Many criminals have been arrested or given consequences based on a one small
mistake, but this situation is not different. The decision Turner made was
definitely against the law. Turner’s victim also spoke out saying that they
were both drunk. However, "the difference is I did not take off your pants
and underwear, touch you inappropriately and run away" (Dockterman). His
victim’s statement brought an enormous amount of attention and adversity to
Turner’s statement, and in return made his case even weaker.
Solutions
Solutions to this issue may
include, treating every rape the same, finding a common definition of rape
among states, defining men’s roles and rights and lastly, eliminating the use
of excuses by the perpetrator. Campaigning and raising awareness has done
justice in showing the magnitude of rape, but definitely has not contributed to
the end of rape culture. Rape culture has now become of the norm and therefore
prevented action to be taken because, our society is much more tolerant to male
violence based on previous male roles. This may be due to the role of dominant
males and submissive females in earlier time periods. Many may raise the issue
that females also commit these offenses, however, majority rape cases include
the male as the offender. In fact, statistics have shown that 98% of the time
rapists are men (Kilpatrick, et al.). Because of these statistics many of the
solutions are geared toward decreasing the number of male offenders rather than
female, in order to hold the majority of offenders accountable. Introducing
stronger legislature will play a big role in all the necessary solutions.
So, what is the solution to this?
Well there’s many, begin by treating every case the same; every perpetrator
should have the same consequences, no matter the severity. And by doing this,
nobody will assume that their crime is lesser than the other. It has become
easier for males to be set free after committing this crime because both, the
victim and the perpetrator, were under the influence or the victim asked for
it. Both of these statements however, are excuses and should not be taken into
consideration when deciding whether the case is valid. However, if a guideline
is set and the situation at hand does or does not reach those guidelines that
should determine whether the rapist is punished or not.
Secondly,
all states should come to a common understanding as to what rape is actually
defined as. Rape should be defined as any unlawful and unconsented touch or
attempted touch. After deciding this there should be no way to finagle the
court. By doing this, it will eliminate the confusion and therefore make it
easier to convict or not convict the perpetrator. After evidence is provided
and confirmed the judge should then decide whether the act falls under the term
rape, and in response give the already determined punishment.
We
also should determine not only the definition of rape, but what it actually
means to be a man and what comes with that title. In today’s society a huge
issue has become feminism and sexism. With the 21st century a major
theme has become “girl power”, and with that women have left traditional roles
in the household. Though it may not have been voiced, and admitted on the
male’s behalf, this may be reasoning why men feel threatened. With this being
said, rape and other acts of violence do not define masculinity (Nation). Men
should be made to understand the effects of rape on women, both mentally and
physically. Though stated before that men do encounter rape, I believe the
effects are much more profound on women. Reason being many times women are
defenseless whether drugged or not. Furthermore, majority of women refuse to
report the crime and eventually live in a state of mental anguish.
Lastly,
we should eliminate the ability for the perpetrator to point fingers, and place
blame elsewhere after evidence has been presented (Nation). Once evidence has
been presented and confirmed by both the court and the victim, and maybe even
the perpetrator, the discussion should no longer be needed. By enforcing this
rule, the defense will know what to expect and allow for and expedient trial. Again,
this will eliminate confusion and the ability for the perpetrator to talk
themselves out of a sentencing or down to a lesser sentence.
Of
all these solutions, the best would be to end all confusion by coming to an
understanding what exactly rape is. Defining rape is an issue that many
reporters and journalists have stated to be the reasoning why rape culture is
still a rising epidemic. Without defining rape, it will not only continue to
become a rising epidemic, but it will continue to allow victims with stories,
and no justice.
Camus and Absurdity
Camus’
novel, The Plague, is set in a city
Oran, Algeria, in the 1940’s. Camus lived in Algeria during WWII, which
explains his thoughts throughout his novel and the making of his
characters(Simpson). This was a time period that depicted much of what was
seemed the norm back then, in terms of gender roles. Majority of Camus’ beliefs
are in relation to the rape epidemic. Camus believed in “the concept of the
Absurd and the notion of Revolt”, therefore, the fact that people were going
against the norm and making change in society, would most likely be appealing
to Camus (Simpson). Camus referred to the absurd as, “a metaphysical tension or
opposition that results from the presence of human consciousness”, and revolt
as, “both a path of resolved action and a state of mind”, of which the rape
epidemic encompasses both (Simpson). Camus does not specifically state his
beliefs on gender roles, however, his novel does lack female characters in
major roles. From this I came to the conclusion that in Camus’ time period it
was not of the norm for women to have significant stances in society, and
therefore he mostly like would find the rape epidemic wrong, but would not
raise much awareness toward it.
Camus would most likely take liking
to the fact that the rape epidemic was making a change in society. People
supporting the rape epidemic would be viewed as rebels to Camus, and he would
like the fact that they were not living ordinary, repetitive lives. And therefore,
Camus would be in less opposition to the outcome. However, Camus would likely
not rejoice in the fact that women were taking a larger role in society.
Despite that, I do believe he would see good in the situation, seeing as though
he had a rebel spirit of his own.
Conclusion
“5%
of women on college campuses experienced rape or attempted rape every week”
(Kilpatrick,
Resnick, et al.). “44,000 victims were killed after being
sexually assaulted”, do not become a statistic, and do not allow anyone else to
become one (Catalano, et al.). Rape has not only become an epidemic but a very
looked over epidemic. It is kept quiet in many cases for the sake of both the
victim and the perpetrator. However, it is time to take notice and make change.
Know the signs of a potential rape case, and do not be afraid to act. We should
not, as a society, continue to allow women or men to feel uncomfortable. There
are many solutions, and not only should we bring awareness to them, but we
should act on those issues. Our society is overcome by epidemics, and is still
at risk for more. However, the change does not begin with the news articles or
protests, the change begins with ourselves. Once we decide to make change, our
society will follow.
Works Cited
Boroff,
David. "Woman, 18, Falsely Accused Two Football Players of Rape:
Cops." NY Daily News. NY Daily News, 22 Feb. 2017. Web. 19 July 2017.
Catalano,
Shannan Ph.D., Erica Smith, Howard Snyder, Ph.D, and Michael Rand. "Female
Victims of Violence." (n.d.): n. pag. Bureau of Justice Statistics. 23
Oct. 2009. Web. 19 July 2017.
Eichelberger,
Erika. "Men Defining Rape: A History." Mother Jones. N.p., 25 June
2017. Web. 01 Aug. 2017.Dockterman, Eliana. "'Party Culture' No Longer
Excuses Rape on College Campuses." Time.Com, 17 June 2016, p. 1.
EBSCOhost, ezproxy.com.edu/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=116229351&site=ehost-live&scope=site.
Kilpatrick,
Resnick, Riggierio, Conoscenti, & McCauley, 2007; American College Health
Association, 2013. "Sexual Assault Statistics." One In Four USA. One
in Four, Inc., n.d. Web. 19 July 2017.
Nation,
The. "Ten Things to End Rape Culture." The Nation. N.p., 29 June
2015. Web. 26 July 2017.Nesbit, Jeff. "Incapacitated Rape Is a Big
Problem." US News. N.p., 18 Nov. 2015. Web. 17 July 2017.
O'Connor,
Lydia, and Tyler Kingkade. "If You Don't Get Why Campus Rape Is A National
Problem, Read This." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 24 June
2016. Web. 19 July 2017.
Simpson,
David. "Albert Camus (1913—1960)." Internet Encyclopedia of
Philosophy. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy and Its Authors, n.d. Web. 27
July 2017.
Solnit,
Rebecca. "A Rape a Minute, A Thousand Corpses a Year." The Nation.
N.p., 29 June 2015. Web. 19 July 2017.
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