This has to stop

This is in reference to this photo that I found in my facebook this morning. I'm still reeling about it, even though it was like... three hours ago.

Okay, I'm gonna make that picture my starting point, since that's what got me thinking. But first, let me make a little disclaimer... Rape is wrong. It's beyond disgusting and perverted, especially when accompanied with murder. Everyone knows this, without a shadow of a doubt. And trust me, rapists know it, too. And if they didn't know it before they raped someone (I can't imagine how), they certainly knew it afterwards.

Having said that, I'll move on to the picture of a girl holding a hand-drawn sign that says "I need feminism because society teaches us "DON'T GET RAPED" rather than "DON'T RAPE". I don't know this girl, I don't know if she's had bad experiences, or been raped, or been told before that somehow it's the rape victim's fault. However, I do know that there are several things wrong with that one little statement.

I'll start with the obvious. I have no flowery or polite way of putting this but... There ain't no way feminism is gonna save you from getting raped. Feminism is an idea, not a protection agency. If it makes you feel better about yourself, then fine. But it's still not a gonna do a thing about rape.

Now some less-obvious-but-should-be-obvious things... Who is this society that teaches "us" not to get raped?? Is there a class or something on not getting raped? (Answer: Self-Defense Martial Arts!!) Is there some secret cult that instructs women to not get raped and that if they do it's their fault? And trust me, I know that there are weirdos who say stuff like that, I've read the articles too, but that is a very very very very very small percentage of people who do that.

On the flip side, do we honestly not teach our sons, brothers, and male friends that it's not okay to rape people? I think most people even go so far as to say, "don't joke about it, because rape is not a thing to be taken lightly." I've mentioned it before, but even the rapists know that it's wrong to rape. So exactly what world do you live in that men aren't taught to respect women, especially in this day and age?

And on top of that, if you honestly think men are never taught not to rape women, then you've just made rape an excusable offense. Yeah, didn't think of that, did you? Rape is wrong, everyone knows it, it's not excusable, and the person at fault is the one that commits it. Can we all agree with that sentiment?

Last thing - and I know this would tip off so many people, because it's such a sensitive thing - but there is such a thing as rape prevention. Just like there's such a thing as murder prevention, theft prevention... I think you might see my point, just a little? I mean, you lock your car door, your house at night, and don't go into dark alleyways... And obviously, it's not your fault if you get something stolen from you, but sometimes things are preventable. Here are some examples:

- Self-defense courses. If you ask me, everyone women should take them, especially if you live in a place where you feel like the rape or mugging ratio is a little higher.
- Stay in groups. Especially if you're dressed nicely. I get it, we all want to feel sexy. But you do not go out in that cocktail dress alone, okay ladies?
- Stay away from places where known rape cases have happened... that should be obvious.

And to finish, I will sum up with a comment someone else actually made on this picture which is exactly how I feel about it:

"Sorry folks. That's BS. From a young age we teach our kids not to harm others. And as adults we know that rape is of course harming a person. I'ts horrible and sadden's me greatly. And because we know of the evil inside of some people no matter what they are taught they shouldnt do, some stilll do it!! And the people come along and try to teach others on how to "avoid" getting raped in hope to bring the chances of it happening to other's down. Stop with using the feminism card on this one. It's bullshit. Men and boys get raped too!! What does feminism even have to do with this? It's horrible either way. Straighten out people. I think Men and Women alike should be treated equal too, but the feminism comment on this one is ignorant. All it will do is cause more confusion for girls like her holding the sign and point her Women equality at the wrong target. By the way is there even a target these days?? i'ts 2012 folks. Our women today in the world today are very strong and very awesome. :) - a voice in our society."