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Women are not only raped by men . Women are also raped by women . Coming from experience last year this time it is very traumatizing to the body and mind . You don't know who to trust anymore or who to go to for help . It's not that you are making excuses for their rapist , it is a matter of who to tell . Who can you trust to help you after you have been betrayed and feel so damaged or broken inside .

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I honestly don't believe we can UNLESS everyone completely accept the fact that we are made equal. But that won't happen it's too many stubborn people in the world sorry but we can pinpoint the problem but we can't fix them

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I would say the one influence that bothers me and would like to see changed is stereotypes. It's stereotypes that are nailed into your brain as a child of how a man should be a man and how a women should be a women. I would like to see more media such as movies or TV shows with men and women playing roles that aren't stereotypical, for example a huge ripped guy saving the weak ditsy girl.

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My question is for the topic of gender as a whole. It's clear as day that we have trouble with gender equality and that there are different standards for each gender. But can we pin point the influences? Could we possibly do something to change what is influencing this?

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I agree that no matter what the situation, rape is not okay. There is no way to completely diminish rape because no matter what it will happen like any other crime but I feel the best way to reduce the numbers of it happening is by teaching girls and boys about consent. Sex is a very uncomfortable subject but I think it's really important to explain consent to people while they're young so they understand how a healthy relationship should be and that talking to one another is a big factor. Also I feel like men are pressured to have sex and once they are older they try to find as many situations to fulfill this pleasure. This does not make rape okay though obviously. Also I want to add that you should look into the Columbia University student who protested against rape by carrying her mattress around campus. Another student there raped her and he did not get suspended from the university.

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I feel for this guy, I can't imagine having someone close to you that love not be by your side in a state of panic. For someone who also has anxiety I feel bad for the guy, to be sexually assaulted in the past and then to have all the memories and emotions come straight back with the sight of the attacker, I kinda wish I coulda been there for him or others who are told similar things so I could talk to them and make them feel stronger and not alone.

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The picture of the women holding the sign about consent is absolutely true. It is ridiculous when ever there is a story about someone being raped and I hear, "Oh well she asked for by dressing like a skank.", it angers me how stupid they sound. Someone might have that opinion, but as a natural human right it is wrong and there is no justice behind any rape. People don't understand how this subject can physically and emotionally scar someone, and to then be told it was their fault enrages me to no extent.

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http://www.buzzfeed.com/spenceralthouse/12-heartbreaking-quotes-said-to-sexual-assault-survivors-fro

This is a blog where 12 people men and women wrote on a poster board, quotes of what family and friends told them after being raped. This is heart breaking. One poster is from a guy and it says -"man up" this is what my friend told me while I was having a panic attack after seeing my attacker 8 years after the incident.

From project unbreakable

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"Yes" is consent. The words on this poster is to everyone making excuses for the rapist. Saying that it's the victims fault because of these things. Women and men should have the right to go out and have. Drink and dress how they want and feel safe. Not be raped and blamed for it. PREACH GIRL PREACH HOLD THAT SIGN HIGH!

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http://revcom.us/a/280/rape-is-never-the-victims-fault-en.html

This article is strongly oppionated saying that rape is never the victims fault. I agree 100%. It talks about how rape isn't just sex but any physical touch that is violating. Most women that have been raped, sexually assaulted, or molested blame themselves. I want to stop that blame and stand up for the victims. They didn't ask for any of that. It's truly unacceptable that this culture reinforces the blame of the victim. I am constantly shocked by that because I feel it should be so obvious it's not the victims fault

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http://thehathorlegacy.com/rape-statistics/

This website has many statistics to inform you about sexual assault and how common it is. If this issue doesn't get noticed than it will be come more and more common. "Rape isn't a women's issue. It's a human issue." 1 in 4 women has a chance of being raped in her lifetime. 1 in 10 men have the chance of being raped. 25% of women?! Does that not terrify anyone else? Rape can be prevented if we stand up to it.

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I completely agree with you, it's very wrong and there isn't a excuse in the world to make it right. Even though it can happen to men or women its more commonly found happening to a woman. "They brought it upon themselves" is a terrible excuse it just shows how messed up in the head someone is. People in today's society need to have respect, better judgment,and a lil optimism

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1251040/Rape-Its-fault-victims-say-50-women.html

Statistics on who blames the victim vs. who blames the offender.

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I completely agree with your side on sexual assault. I can't believe that some could say that "they brought it upon themselves" or "they asked for it, by the way their dressed". I don't think sexual assault could or ever will be okay, in my opinion. Because if they wanted it, it wouldn't be labeled as sexual assault. And if they didn't, then it should be labeled as that. No matter how, when or who it happened it. And it most certainly can happen to a guy! So the whole idea of "men can't get raped" is bull shit.

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Your research was really good. I liked how it showed that women can side with the rapist just as much as a man, sometimes more and vice versa. I believe as well it is ridiculous to say someone was "Asking for it" when rape gives trauma, anxiety, social issues because trust can be lost, and other serious problems that effect the mind. A rapist is raping someone for their own selfish need not because someone wants them too because no one wants that. If someone was asking to be raped it wouldn't be rape, it'd be consensual. No matter the race, skin color, or gender to be a rapist. I can say that yes it seems women are more often the victim but there are plenty of men who have been sexually assaulted. I think what many people forget is it doesn't take one gender sexually assaulting the opposite gender to be sexual assault it could be any gender.

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http://m.colorlines.com/archives/2011/02/in_a_belated_stroke_of.html

My cons articles arnt exactly cons to this topic but are excuses that make rape less of a crime or problem. This article is saying that the FBI doesn't classify a male as being able to be raped. If a man is raped by another man it will not count as a sexual offense but could only be an assault if it is extreme enough. If a man is attacked by a woman than it could be classified as sexual assault depending on the extent of the attack. If a man and a woman rapes a man at the same time it could also be classified as sexual assault because a woman was involved. However, if a man rapes a man it is not considered sexual assault. I have heard that men "can't be raped" many times but I don't understand why it is different whether a man or woman rapes them or if a man or woman is the victim. This is sexism and I was not expecting this from the FBI.

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http://jezebel.com/5471939/study-women-young-people-blame-victims-for-sexual-assault

A survey showed that women were actually harsher than men when blaming the victim of sexual assault. 54% of the women surveyed said that victims were partially responsible. 71% of the women who believes this said that the victim was at fault for getting in the bed with there rapist. 33% said she would be at fault if she dressed provocatively or had a drink. 13% blames the victim for dancing sexily or flirting. The stats for men were a bit lower. women may engage in victim blaming as a way of feeling safe. They convince themselves that only people who act a certain way can get raped. ANYONE CAN GET RAPED AT ANY TIME.

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Who? The victims of sexual assault and rapists themselves.

What? Sexual assault is any involuntary sexual act in which a person is forced against there will or any non-consensual touching of a person even through clothes. This includes rape (vaginal, anal or oral penetration, drug facilitated sexual assault), groping, forced kissing, child sexual abuse, or the torture of the person in a sexual manner.

When? The is no time frame where one is safe from sexual assault. It could be in ones sleep or when one is drugged or drunk.

Where? Most likely one will be attacked in a private area such as a bed room or ally way. It applies when being touched anywhere on the body that the person being touched didn't consent to.

Why? They probably do not think of it as being raped. The offender could spot there victim drunk at a party and think they are just an easy target. Or just because of the way a women dresses they think shes telling him yes. another reason could be that the offender wants control over the victim.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_assault