What is the Cost of Rebranding Rape?
Language matters in sexual violence. When rape is rebranded (and diluted) as “sexual assault,” it changes how we understand the crime—and if perps are held accountable.
Rape vs Sexual Assault. Call It by Its Name
It’s called Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Not Rape Awareness Month. So… civil. So, sanitizing. And this ‘civility’ is all over the headlines, blurring the actuality of what has happened. It starts at the institutional level of the media, before a single headline is written. It’s also notable that even the campaigns designed to confront this crime can’t bring themselves to call it by its name.
When You’re Sexually Assaulted by Someone You Know
Sexual assault often involves that the victim has met. So, survivors may be confused and not even recognize right away that they’d been assaulted or raped, especially if they’re younger. Here are some things to know.