Enough is Enough: A Response to the Recent Attacks Against Women on Campus

Fair warning: this is not one of my usual blog posts. Like Lemony Snicket advised, if you'd like to read about happy elves frolicking in the woods or sweet, docile children going on a picnic, then this is not the blog post for you. Put it down, walk away, and go on with your merry little life. If, however, you are looking for someone who, like you, is similarly outraged by the escalating numbers of women being sexually assaulted on campus, then stay.

Fair warning: I am a feminist, and I am angry about this situation caused by the rape culture that is rampant in America, especially on college campuses. Thus, this blog post will be something along the lines of the ANGRY FEMINIST RANTS dismissed by so many people as "hysterical women on their periods" or "bra-burning feminists who don't shave a hair on their bodies." If this kind of thing makes you uncomfortable, close your browser window and walk away from your laptop RIGHT NOW.

You're still here? Ok, here goes: just don't say I didn't warn you.

I have been back at school for less than two weeks, and already there have been three attempts of sexual battery and/or assault against women on campus. That's one every five days--think about it. At 3:41 this morning, I was rudely awakened by the University Police Department's UF Alert text messages warning that a woman had been attacked right in front of the school library. Two other women reported being grabbed and battered by a male assailant: the University Police Department believes the perpetrator is the same across all three cases.

While many well-meaning officials and friends have urged female students to stay in well lit areas, not walk alone at night, and be aware of their surroundings, this does nothing to actually solve the problem. It is unacceptable that the focus remains on what all women on campus should not do rather than on what the male attacker should not do. College women's lives should not be dictated by regulations designed to prevent them from being raped. Though I believe the people who advise women to take precautions do so with good intentions, their efforts are misguided. Until we teach men not to rape, we will never end the rape culture endemic on our college campuses.

I am tired of being told not to walk alone at night. I am tired of hearing that "she was asking for it" because "she was dressed like a slut." I am tired of feeling unsafe on this campus, which has been my home for almost three years now.

I demand a safe campus. I demand that we teach men not to rape instead of cautioning women against being the victims of crime. Is a murder victim "asking for it" by "being in the wrong place at the wrong time"? Does a victim of theft "get off" on having their home invaded? We need to apply the same standards to rape as we do to any other crime.

If the streets of our campus are not safe, then where is? It's time to put a halt to this: enough it enough. It's time to take back the night and stress that whatever we do, wherever we go, yes means yes, and no means no.

Final thought: if this post provokes you to leave a comment or to share the link with others, I ask that you remain respectful and civil when leaving feedback. This is a serious issue, and I will delete/ban comments that are offensive or insensitive.

That being said, if you agree with me and would like to spread the word to end rape culture on campus, pleas like this post, share the link, and promote it in whatever way you wish.

That's all for now, dear readers.

Until next time,

Anna