Rape culture is a phrase that was introduced by feminists to describe the way our society tolerates sexual violence. The word “culture” describes a population engaging in something together as a society (ranging from education to table manners.) It may seem problematic to link the word “rape” into something as innocent as culture, but it is a very real thing within our society. Rape culture occurs when rape and sexual assault are ignored, forgotten, normalized, and made into jokes or entertainment (we see this in the media.) the following passages, we will examine victim blaming, rape culture in the media (music, movies, advertisements, and pornography) and discuss varies rape cases and how they have shaped rape culture.
So, what is victim blaming? Victim blaming is another way the rape/sexual assault victim is mistreated after an already traumatic experience. Putting the blame on the victim shifts the focus from the perpetrator to the victim and makes it seem that the victim is responsible for being assaulted or raped. (Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness, 2015) Common terms used to blame the victim are, “she was asking for it,” “she provoked him,” “she was drunk,” and “she technically didn’t say no.” Blaming what the victim was wearing (such as short skirts and low cut blouses) …show more content…
While some material in the porn industry may not be harmful, others display violent scenes and aggressive behaviors as gratifying, and therefore acceptable during sex (such as rape scenes played out). Many films have the same theme of dominance of the man over the woman. And per History of Rape Culture, “more than 80% of X-rated films in one study included scenes in which one or more men dominate and exploit one woman. Within these films, three-fourths portray physical aggression against women, and fully half explicitly depict rape.” (History of Rape Culture,
So, what is victim blaming? Victim blaming is another way the rape/sexual assault victim is mistreated after an already traumatic experience. Putting the blame on the victim shifts the focus from the perpetrator to the victim and makes it seem that the victim is responsible for being assaulted or raped. (Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness, 2015) Common terms used to blame the victim are, “she was asking for it,” “she provoked him,” “she was drunk,” and “she technically didn’t say no.” Blaming what the victim was wearing (such as short skirts and low cut blouses) …show more content…
While some material in the porn industry may not be harmful, others display violent scenes and aggressive behaviors as gratifying, and therefore acceptable during sex (such as rape scenes played out). Many films have the same theme of dominance of the man over the woman. And per History of Rape Culture, “more than 80% of X-rated films in one study included scenes in which one or more men dominate and exploit one woman. Within these films, three-fourths portray physical aggression against women, and fully half explicitly depict rape.” (History of Rape Culture,