Alexa by sexual assault and rape. generally the

Alexa DellesMr.

Wrensen Theology 1220 December 2017Sexual Assault and RapeSexual assault and rape is a tremendous issue in our society and has been for many years. Unfortunately the term sexual assault has been a term in existence for centuries, there are many variations of its meaning. By definition sexual assault means “ illegal sexual contact that usually involves force upon a person without consent or is inflicted upon a person who is incapable of giving consent (as because of age or physical or mental incapacity) or who places the assailant (such as a doctor) in a position of trust or authority” (sexual assault).  These definitions have similarities to rape. Rape is defined as “ to force (someone) to have sex with you by using violence or the threat of violence” (rape). Both of these terms state that it is an act committed without one’s consent and the use of violence. Sexual assault and rape are words that are just being thrown around and not used in the correct contexts. Gender roles, women and men, all ages are affected by sexual assault and rape.

Generally the majority of these cases occur with those from age 12 and up.  Every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.  “ On average, there are 321, 500 victims (age 12 or older) of rape and sexual assault each year in the United States” (Victims).  These are just statistics in America, there are so many more people all over the world, everyday that become a victims of sexual assault and rape.

Younger people from ages 12 to 34 are at higher risk.  Overwhelmingly victims who are at risk are generally women. Women are considered the victims, while men are most often the perpetrators, although men and women can be both the victims and perpetrators. On college campuses, sexual assault is a overwhelming problem.

Women in college are three times more likely to be affected and experience sexual violence. An even bigger problem is date rape. “ Date rape is when you are raped by someone you know, like a boyfriend” (What Is Rape). Date rape often involves illegal drugs, these drugs do not have a color, taste or smell for a person to be aware about. The drugs are often slipped into a drink when not looking. They can lead a person to feeling weak or confused, these drugs are powerful and dangerous.  College students are at the highest risk for sexual violence.

Three main reason for sexual assault in college is, alcohol, and men and women living in close proximity to each other, and the increased exposure to peers having sex.    The unfortunate result of these crimes is that many women are often  looked down at or be called a slut or cheap, rather than a victim or survivor when they come forward. Many victims choose not to report the incidents because they are worried about the shame, being called names or feelings of guilt and blame.

Also having to face people after would be difficult to because of what people think of the victim. Others don’t understand that being raped or sexual assault is not the victim’s fault, it is the people who did the assault to the victim. A victim should never be told that it was there fought, with sexual assault and rape it happens without consent of the other person. There are three common drugs that are both powerful and dangerous, used with date rape.  These drugs are rohypnol, GHB, and ketamine. There are many other names for each drug, like rohypnol can also be called Rophies or GHB can be called energy drink. Each drug has a different effect on the body, normally the effects occur immediately therefore the  person is unable to stop the assault. Rohypnol takes about 30 minutes to start effecting and can last for hours, can cause loss of muscle control, drunk feeling, problems talking and seeing, death, and etc.

Rohypnol is a pill that dissolves in liquids, also considered illegal in the United State. GHB takes about 15 to effect and will last 3 to 4 hours, can cause dizziness, seizures, problems seeing, death and etc. GHB can be a liquid with no odor or color, can be white powder and/or a pill. Also GHB was made legal in the United States, for a person who have sleeping problems. Ketamine is fast acting, may be able to tell that you were drugged but are unable to move. Ketamine can cause out of body experiences, vomiting, slurred speech, memory problems and etc.

Ketamine is a liquid or white powder, also legal in the United States, for medical reasons mainly used for animals.   Alcohol is a drug that impairs one’s decision making skills and will make it harder to think rationally and make good decisions, to tell if the situation is dangerous, to be able to say “ no”, to fight back and could possible blackout and not have memory on what had happened. Other drug that has been used in sexual assault times is ecstasy which is considered a club drug.

Ecstasy makes people feel very affectionate or romantic. Both alcohol and any other drug has an affect on someone to give consent to another person. Often when people are taking these drugs they tend to have slower effects and reactions times.  They also make poor decisions which does not mean that it is their fault although they are more likely to find themselves in compromising positions.  Protecting yourself is a major part of preventing sexual assault. There are some preventative steps that one can take in order to reduce their likelihood of finding themselves in a compromising situation.

Keeping a drink with you at all times, have a non drinking friend with you to make sure nothing happens, if you feel drunk and have not drunk any alcohol get help right away and etc.  If affected by a “ party drug” or know/think you were sexual assualted take the right steps. Start with not blaming yourself, go to police station or hospital as soon as possible, don’t urinate before getting help, also don’t bathe or change clothes before, get emotional support, lastly talk to parent or guardians. By doing these steps there is a easier way to start finding answers to what had happened. For help call any of these hotlines, National Sexual Assault hotline call 1-800-656-HOPE, for National Domestic Violence hotline call 1-800-799-SAFE, and for Girl and Boys Town National hotline call 1-800-448-3000. There are organizations around the world helping people affected. One of the nation’s largest organization is RAINN.

RAINN stands for rape, abuse and incest national network. There mission is to be there for anything a victim of sexual assault would need. The hotline (800-656-HOPE) open 24/7, or being able to get in contact with the 1, 000 different partnerships that RAINN has available to everyone. “ RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, help survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice” (rainn).  RAINN provides many resources like victim services which is a program that supports survivors of sexual assault, also is consulting services for people in need. Public education is very important, working to prevent and recovery. There is public policy that works with the state to help prevent any type of sexual assault. These are significant services that can change a women/men life after assault.

Just having a person to talk to that doesn’t judge you about anything is very helpful for recovering after sexaul assault or rape. More recently people have come forth with accusation about people in the entertainment industry and the people in government who have allegedly committed sexual assault. For example, in October 2017, the powerful man, known as a movie producer, Harvey Weinstein was accused by dozens of women for sexual assault or rape.

Finding out about these cases Weinstein and his team try to offered the dozens of women money for them not to say anything. Many of those women didn’t take the offer, because they have a right to speak up. Even though many of these cases happen many years ago women of any sexaul assault or rape can and should speak out. The New York Times had Salma Hayek write an opinion piece about Weinstein, the title being Harvey Weinstein Is My Monster Too.

Salma Hayek,  is an actress, producer, and former model. Hayek wrote about what happened between Weinstein and her, and how she said “ No”. Hayek states “ I don’t think he hated anything more than the word ‘ no’” (NYT). As a result of the Harvey Weinstein the two words “ me too” was brought up.

Tarana Burke was the creator of this phase many years ago, but the person who encouraged women to put this out on social media was Alyssa Milano.  As an actress she has a big influence to other out in the world, which helped with getting the word out to everyone. The meaning of “#metoo” is to denounce sexual assault and harassment, in the wake of sexual misconduct allegations against film producer and executive Harvey Weinstein and others that used there powerful positions incorrectly. This scandal has opened the floodgates to many other claims about powerful men taking advantage of women. With this people like, federal court judge, directors, TV stars, U.

S. House of Representatives, U. S.

Senator and many more men in power. An example would be the NBC “ Today” show morning host, Matt Lauer. Multiple women accused Lauer of Harassment. Lauer response was that he was very sorry for all the people he hurt. In the ending Lauer’s misconduct, NBC announced they terminated his employment.

The outcome of all of these sexual assault cases is that women have been braver about speaking up and society is become less tolerant for sexual misconduct behaviors. Hopefully women will no longer wait to speak up or allow themselves to be taken advantage of.  Now women have a voice with the #metoo.

The next move that we all should be looking at is how we can change and help prevent future lifes from any type of assault. Also for everyone to understand that it will always be wrong to assault men or women. In our culture today, women have to be more powerful and show that they can be strong in their whole lifetime.

There is always going to be two sides to every story, one part that a person can control is knowing what they are drinking and being care in every environment that life takes them into. Sexual assault is not something that women ask for, it is an abuse of power and a violation of another human being.