Blame
As I read both Myers' article and the article from the NYTimes, I found myself growing more and more annoyed as I read each one further. It reminded me of the discussions that we had in class about sexual assault and its binds within society. We know that sexual assault is common, and we have accepted that, but what I think is really important is that the extent to which we think it is common is only a percentage of how common it actually is. It is an issue that is underreported and feared at the fault of our society.
We, as a society, attach shame to sexual assault. We have ingrained a fear within women that even if they are sexually assaulted or raped, no one is going to believe them, or worse, it will be turned back on them. It discourages women from standing up for themselves and their bodies, and encourages them to feel at fault. But why is sexual assault the one that we attach so much shame to? I mean, no one is shamed for being stabbed or shot. It is because we are women, and because of the constant oppression and male domination that roots from the patriarchal system and male supremacy that we live in detrimental harmony with. The men hold the power and the men will stick up for their own. Women fear the reaction that would come from reporting sexual assaults against men, but how could they not when so much of the control is held by men?
The military bases are a perfect example of this. As areas that are institutionalized by men, the women who live there are simply overpowered. Even some of the toughest and bravest women who are willing to put their lives on the line for our country have to live in fear that not if, but when they are sexually assaulted, what degree of consequences will they face. Women in the military are told not to travel alone, and to carry a knife and a big flashlight. How horrible is it that we must prepare to be sexually assaulted? That that is how common it is, and that rather than holding men accountable, we choose to put the responsibility all on the victims themselves. It makes me wonder if most men even consider it to be a crime at all.
She is not to blame; he is, and society is for not supporting that.
Natalie
We, as a society, attach shame to sexual assault. We have ingrained a fear within women that even if they are sexually assaulted or raped, no one is going to believe them, or worse, it will be turned back on them. It discourages women from standing up for themselves and their bodies, and encourages them to feel at fault. But why is sexual assault the one that we attach so much shame to? I mean, no one is shamed for being stabbed or shot. It is because we are women, and because of the constant oppression and male domination that roots from the patriarchal system and male supremacy that we live in detrimental harmony with. The men hold the power and the men will stick up for their own. Women fear the reaction that would come from reporting sexual assaults against men, but how could they not when so much of the control is held by men?
The military bases are a perfect example of this. As areas that are institutionalized by men, the women who live there are simply overpowered. Even some of the toughest and bravest women who are willing to put their lives on the line for our country have to live in fear that not if, but when they are sexually assaulted, what degree of consequences will they face. Women in the military are told not to travel alone, and to carry a knife and a big flashlight. How horrible is it that we must prepare to be sexually assaulted? That that is how common it is, and that rather than holding men accountable, we choose to put the responsibility all on the victims themselves. It makes me wonder if most men even consider it to be a crime at all.
She is not to blame; he is, and society is for not supporting that.
Natalie
I really enjoyed reading your article, because you pinpointed a crucial reason why sexual assault on women is very underreported and looked down on by our society. It is because of the patriarchal society itself. Of course, no one is going to argue with the fact that someone was shot, but many people disbelieve, shame or victim blame women for being raped or sexually harassed. Even if there is physical evidence of the fact that they were sexually assaulted, people will always come back with "oh, but it was probably your fault," or recognize it as a "lone-event." There is a lack of accountability for these men, and like many other crimes in our country such as white, heterosexual men committing mass murder, we are refusing to acknowledge the pattern of these events and how it is a larger issue than one isolated case. We need to hold men accountable for their actions, and not let the patriarchy determine what is or is not just.
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