Sexual Assault Against Women Essay Example

Women’s rights have been a frequently discussed topic for over 100 years. In the early 1900’s women were able to get the right to vote through various forms of protests. Despite gaining more rights throughout the years many women are still treated as objects. Everyday girls face harassment while at work, walking down the street, and online. Sexual assault has become normalized in todays society and is typically ignored by the court system. The majority of sexual assault victims refrain from reporting their cases because of victim blaming; improving the justice system can create a safer environment for victims to come forward.

Harassment and assault is a problem often rooted in the insufficient education men receive on how to behave towards women and educating women on how they should be treated. An example of a harmful response is telling little girls that their male classmates are picking on them because they like them. How we think and act is ingrained into our mind when we our younger, even little things can make a huge impact on how people think as they grow up. Sexual assault victims are often mistreated because of what they are wearing. Some people will claim that they were “asking for it” however with this logic if you got hit in the head with a baseball while watching a baseball game you would be “asking for it” because you weren’t wearing a helmet. In addition rape is about power not about clothing, even when women were required to fully cover their arms and legs 200 years ago rape still occured. Self control is a basic skill that is demonstrated by many different species of animals and is very easily accomplished by humans. “Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said something is "obviously wrong" with a system in which nearly 50 percent of victims are too intimidated to come forward”(Hlad, Pg 1). Enduring assault diminishes a woman’s confidence and harms their mental health. Because of this, victims lack the confidence to come forward and face their rapist face to face as Graham points out. “The majority of victims of both child and adult sexual abuse did not even bother filing a complaint with the police, fearing they would be blamed or wouldn't be taken seriously, the document says”(The Canadian express, Pg 1). Victims feel that they will receive little to no support for their case and feel it is a waste of time and effort because their case will most likely be overlooked. Statistics show “Of the 10 percent of sexual assaults that are reported, only 43 per cent result in charges, and only 43 per cent of those in convictions. That represents the lowest conviction rate for any type of violent crime by far”(Toronto star, Pg 1).

The justice system clearly fails sexual assault victims and undermines their story. The courts struggle to sympathize with women because the constitution, the basis of our laws and court system, was written by a group of men during a time when women were considered property. The education system for people going into law needs to be updated to include more sexual assault cases and highlight their importance.

Sexual assault victims within the military often face threats from superiors and are even ignored. Corruption within the military court system is especially apparent when facing sexual assault cases. For example “Several members of Congress have spoken out about a recent case at Aviano Air Base in Italy, in which a pilot's sexual assault conviction and sentence was thrown out by the lieutenant general who had hand-picked the jury”(Hlad, Pg 1). This shows the military’s disregard for victims. Many other problems have arisen such as a lack of understanding on the part of high court officials and other people holding positions in law. For example “When Robin Camp, in his former capacity as a federal court judge, asked a woman why she couldn't just keep her "knees together" to prevent an alleged rape, he contributed to the widely held view that the justice system is incapable of sensitively or effectively dealing with sexual assault cases”(Toronto star, Pg 1). This specific example emplefies the misunderstanding the court system has of rape and shows why victims are so afraid to come forward. The lack of empathy and sympathy that higher court officials show for victims is a problem that can be easily fixed. A simple course could create a balance of understanding between court officials and victims. Sexual assault was such as problem in the military that Anu Bhagwati, a Marine corps captain, said "I would love for the Department of Defense to come out with a poster that says, 'Don't rape.' Don't rape, end of story," (Hlad, Pg 1).

Sexual assault is an issue that can be significanly reduced through education, prevention, and support. Schools can start by teaching the meaning of consent and how to respect and treat others around you. Anyone working in law should be required to take a course aim at educating on sexual assault. This course should include sensitivity training, the meaning of consent, how rape affects the victims, and the difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault. If lawyers, judges, and law enforcement officers took these kinds of courses they may have a better understanding of what victims are going through and will be able to create a safer and more understanding environment for victims to come forward. We can also educate women on how to avoid potentially dangerous situations. Teaching women self defense and giving helpful tips such as carrying pepper spray and traveling in groups would also be beneficial. We can also prevent sexual violence by making predators think twice. We can do so by raising the punishment. According to Ridley county.com unarmed rapists, if convicted, typically face three to five years whereas armed rapists face fifteen to twenty years. Because of this difference in sentencing only 2% of rapists carry weapons. If the punishment was raised to ten years rapists would most likely rethink acting out. Some people disagree with raising the sentence and are fearful of victims coming forward. “To Herbert, it seems pretty clear: Good men have nothing to worry about. To me, that seems simplistic, like saying that good women have nothing to be afraid of. Or that bad things don't happen to good people”(Roberts, pg 1). This author expressed her worries on the #Metoo movement,by highlighting the impact of false accusations. However the number of victims whose lives are ruined is much greater than the actual rapists. If rapists are getting away with rape then good men have very little to worry about. However false accusations can become an issue and steps need to be taken to avoid them. Simple things can be done to avoid accusations like having cameras by your door and a dashcam to prove your location if needed. Although false accusations are very unlikely it still helps to take extra steps to stay safe. The #MeToo movement is not aimed to blame or guilt trip men, it is a movement that creates a safe place for all victims to tell their story.

The majority of sexual assault victims refrain from reporting their cases because of victim blaming; improving the justice system can create a safer environment for victims to come forward. As we progress we become more and more focused on material matter but when we open our eyes and treat each other with the basic dignity we deserve, we can change the lives of people around us. Sexual assault is an issue that affects everyone but we can help put a stop to sexual violence through education. Even just taking time to listen to someone’s story can make a huge impact and inspire us to work harder and help motivate people to stand together and put an end to sexual assault.

Works Cited

1. Sexual assault survivors criticize military culture, justice system." Stars and Stripes, 13 Mar. 2013. Gale In Context: High School, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A336096870/GPS?u=orla71157&sid=GPS&xid=4601e866. Accessed 30 Mar. 2021.

2. "Sexual assault victims lack trust in justice system: survey." Globe & Mail [Toronto, Canada], 6 May 2013, p. A6. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A329243781/GPS?u=orla71157&sid=GPS&xid=1c90b697. Accessed 30 Mar. 2021.

3. "Educate judges." Toronto Star [Toronto, Ontario], 6 Apr. 2017, p. A12. Gale In Context: Global Issues, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A488688743/GPS?u=orla71157&sid=GPS&xid=a98df112. Accessed 30 Mar. 2021.

4. "Official reports of sexual assault climb, even as estimated number of attacks declines." Stars and Stripes, 4 Dec. 2014. Gale In Context: High School, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A392468604/GPS?u=orla71157&sid=GPS&xid=e137a4c5. Accessed 30 Mar. 2021.

5. Roberts, Roxanne. "A reader said good men have nothing to fear from #MeToo. I think it's more complicated." Washingtonpost.com, 5 Nov. 2018. Gale In Context: High School, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A561430902/GPS?u=orla71157&sid=GPS&xid=5f839620. Accessed 30 Mar. 2021.

6. Reynolds, Harry. "The Media Should Publish the Names of Alleged Rape Victims." Media Ethics, edited by Julia Bauder, Greenhaven Press, 2009. Current Controversies. Gale In Context: Opposing Viewpoints, link.gale.com/apps/doc/EJ3010563216/OVIC?u=orla71157&sid=OVIC&xid=5d916d03. Accessed 30 Mar. 2021. Originally published as "Duke Rape Case Shows Why Censoring Names of Victims Is Bad Idea," Journal Gazette/Times-Courier, 14 Apr. 2007.

7. “Through a Rapist.” Ridley County.Com, www.ripleycounty.com/sheriff/rape.htm. Accessed 22 Apr. 2021.    

http://www.ripleycounty.com/sheriff/rape.htm.