Emilee Franklin
Breaking News: Rape is NEVER the Victims Fault
After feelings of frustration, and anger, I finally felt motivated enough to write about a topic that is very dear to me. Recently I have heard or seen individuals blaming victims of sexual assault for their assault. These were individuals who did not know details of the cases, but felt the need to state their opinions, that the victims were at fault because of various reasons. As a victim of sexual assault this really set me off. Often times when a new case of sexual assault becomes public, especially early on without details, people often make their own assumptions sometimes publicly and forget of the victims are real people, who are victims. These victims may be able to read these comments online, or have them passed back to them, which can cause more self-harm, or negative thoughts about themselves in an already frail time. I wanted to write a quick reminder to the world, that WE should NEVER blame or shame victims. Victims do not cause harm, victims are not the cause of rape, rapists rape.
It does not matter what you were wearing
Whether it was a short skirt,
A revealing top, or even an ugly sweater
Clothing of any kind does not imply consent
It is not your fault that you have been raped
It does not matter if you have given consent before
It does not matter if you have given consent that night and later changed your mind
No, means no, and does not mean anything different
Previous consent does not mean consent
It is not your fault that you have been raped
It does not matter if you had something to drink that night
Or even a bit too much to drink
Being intoxicated takes away the ability to consent
Therefore being drunk and “asking for it,” never implies consent
It is not your fault that you have been raped
It does not matter if you are in a relationship with someone
It does not matter if you have given consent in that relationship before
Simply being in a relationship does not imply consent
Unwanted sexual acts in a relationship is still rape
It is not your fault that you have been raped
It does not matter your age
Rape affects all ages
It does not matter if you were legally old enough to give consent
Age does not imply consent
It is not your fault that you have been raped
It does not matter if you feel like you should have “known better”
It does not matter if you feel like you put yourself in a certain situation
You did not put yourself in a situation to rape
Victims fight rapists rape
It doesn’t matter if you feel like you could or should have done something
It doesn’t matter if you didn’t scream or fight
In the moment you did everything you could to fight for your life
Your body reacts how it does to trauma, and kept you alive
It is not your fault that you have been raped.
It does not matter if you have a bad reputation
Or have been called names like whore, or slut in the past
Having a bad reputation does not mean you have given consent
It is not your fault that you have been raped.
It does not matter where you are from
Or how you have been raised
It doesn’t matter if you hang out with a certain crowd, possibly “bad” crowd
These are labels and excuses for your rapist, not consent
It is not your fault that you have been raped
Sexual assault is never the victims fault, no matter what. Rapists make the decision to take advantage of the person and or situation. Victims are not the problem, rapists are.
Victims, stay strong! Sexual assault is not your fault, and there are resources out there some of them FREE to help you, whether it is medically or legally. Keep going, even when it seems impossible. I have found the road after assault to be very long, with some not so fun unexpected turns but it will hopefully get better after time, it has for me. Reach out, you are not alone.
Please like and help spread the “Breaking News,” that there is NEVER an excuse for rape.
Check out:
National Sexual Assault Hotline: tel:800-656-4673
https://www.dailydot.com/irl/sexual-assault-survivor-online-resources/
This is The Lyfe 