Thoughts on Framing the Rape Victim

I feel so very fortunate that I was able to be a student in a class that uses a book of this nature. Mardorossian's book tackles so many issues that come with rape and society's interpretation of it. I know that this is a book I will be keeping with me, even long after the semester ends. Though I do strongly believe that there was a significant amount about this subject that I had known or had an understanding of, I truly now know so much more. I went through each chapter slowly, highlighting passages and taking notes on the side. I know that now I had strong facts and evidence to back up my anti-rape and feminist disposition.

Sadly, a chunk of my family is pretty misogynistic and seriously need to reform many of their believes- especially towards that of women and sexuality. I felt that this book could be one of my strongest resources when I try to improve their understanding of these topics. I am hands down an angry and headstrong feminist, but I fully believe that people need to be properly educated on particular subjects so that their believes can change for the better. Certainly, with some people this can not possibly work with (because they are too stubborn and rooted in their misguided believes), but it is always worth the chance to help someone change for the better.

There were so many passages that I highlighted that I found to be especially insightful and particularly useful for my attempt to better inform my family on subjects like these. One section in particular that really got me going were the absolutely terrible statements from various Republican party members towards rape. It is truly sickening how arrogant, ignorant, and ill informed these individuals are.

"Congressman Todd Akin claimed that rapes that were 'legitimate' would not lead to pregnancy because the woman's body has a way of shutting down the whole thing."

"Indiana's senatorial candidate Robert Mourdock claimed that a pregnancy after rape was 'something that God intended to happen.'"

"Wisconsin state representative Roger Rivard [stated] that 'some girls rape easy.'"

This nauseating list goes on and on, highlighting the terrible stance that members of the Republican party have on this subject. Even though I am enraged as I write about this, the need to speak up and educate about rape grows stronger in me. I seriously hope that upon reading this text that individuals can reform their understanding about this subject for the better.