So we just intrinsically diminish sexual violence against women. People treat women like second-class citizens, so anything that happens to women is “not as bad” as something that happens to men. On why sexual assault is looked at differently than other violent crimes Talking about it and talking about the repercussions and naming the criminals who commit these crimes, that’s not going too far.
You already hear people talking about fatigue and backlash and worrying this over and “Oh, it’s gone too far.” No. But I think things have the potential to change. No one’s telling you not to be a man, but we are telling you to not be an asshole. And if your friends have bragged about their sexual exploits and diminished and degraded women, and you were silent, you are part of the problem. I think, “I’m sure you haven’t, but if your partner has ever said no and you’ve cajoled and wheedled her into having sex by persistence, you’re part of the problem. I think it’s time for men to do some homework and some soul searching.Ī lot of men will say – and they often say this to me – “I would never hurt a woman. I hope more men read this book – and women too.
I think that’s in many ways more horrifying than the prevalence of sexual assault – is the way we respond to it as a culture. Never does it occur to people to suggest going to the authorities and having actual consequences for these people who commit these crimes. On reactions after an assault has happened