How to Rape Your Spouse and Get Away With It

You might find yourself in Ohio for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame or to cheer on the Cavaliers at the Quicken Loans Arena but there’s another fun thing you might want to do the next time you visit: rape your spouse and legally get away with it.

Yes. You read that correctly. Despite the fact that we are in 2017, there is still a state that does not punish spouses who commit marital rape in certain circumstances

The Ohio Revised Code defines marital rape as illegal and it is punishable as a felony. The definition of rape states that the act occurs when a defendant compels a spouse to engage in sexual intercourse against the victim’s will by “force, threat of force, or deception.” However, certain circumstances are exempt from this as seen in cases where spouses are drugged and then subject to sexual assault or intercourse.

State Rep. Greta Johnson, D-Akron, a former assistant prosecutor in Summit County, saw an issue and sought out change by introducing House Bill 97. This bill seeks to remove the exemption of marital privilege from all rape statues as well as many subsections. Ohio is one of eight states with such exemptions within rape legislature.

Supporters of the exemptions claim that House Bill 97 will create an opportunity for more false claims and find hope in the fact that a similar proposed bill did not pass two years ago.

However, Johnson continues to fight an uphill battle and is optimistic as less than a month ago, the Ohio House voted 92-2 in favor of a bill that updated domestic violence laws to allow victims of dating violence to obtain civil protection orders against their attackers.

Something that is truly shocking is the fact that not a single Republican signed on as a co-sponsor to the bill. Partisan affiliation has interfered with the rights of women and men experiencing sexual violence at the hands of their spouses. To hear that such antiquated laws are still in effect as well as have a lot of backing is disheartening. Women are forced to see their rapists roam free because of exemptions such as this which causes serious trauma and unimaginable mental stress. What’s even more unfortunate is that State Representative Greta Johnson’s commitment to this legislation will end this month as she is resigning from her position as state representative in favor of a local position. One can only hope that her leave will not lessen the already sparse discussion about this issue.

Signing off,
Joanne

Congress passed a bill to protect sexual assault victims

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On August 6 of 2016, the bill “Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act of 2016” was introduced. This bill proposes that a sexual assault victim should be allowed to have a sexual assault evidence kit without charge, and that all of the contents inside of sexual assault evidence kit will be secured. The sexual assault evidence kit would contain, “a DNA profile match, a toxicology report other information collected as part of a medical forensic examination.” The bill also proposes that the victim should also be informed about the sexual assault evidence kit, so that it ensures that everything is being done to help the victim and in catching the perpetrator. The bill also wants the sexual assault victim to have the ability to have a sexual assault advocate to help them through what they had experienced, and the ability to victim compensation and restitution. The bill was passed through the Judiciary Committee with a unanimous vote, and was signed by President Obama just four days after it was presented. This is extremely important, because it is a big step for sexual assault victims and the fact that the bill was passed unanimously through the Judiciary Committee shows that we are moving to a country where we are more helpful towards sexual assault victims.

New Nail Polish

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When going out, women often face the fear of date rape drugs. As a child growing up, women are always told to be careful what they drink, and to never leave your drink or food unattended. If you do by accident leave your drink or food unattended, don’t touch it, just order a new one. When you leave your drink unattended, you might be at risk of having your drink drugged. The purpose of the drugging drinks, is so that the predator can take a woman when she is weak, and isn’t aware of her surroundings, so that she can be taken advantage of. Now women don’t have to continue living in fear, of something happening to their drinks. There is a new nail polish that detects if there are drugs in your drink, by changing color. This nail polish was invented by college students Tyler Confrey-Maloney, Stephen Gray, Ankesh Madan and Tasso Von Windheim; from North Carolina State University. The main goal of the nail polish is to help women protect themselves from the different threats they face everyday. This idea got some backlash from social media, because people were angry that instead of society teaching predators, not to take advantage of women, it provides women with different functions on how to protect themselves. Although I do agree, with some of the people from social media, I believe that since we have not completely taught people how to not take advantage of people, we need to use different tools to protect ourselves and others, so that we can protect ourselves.

-Stella

How Bollywood has Contributed to Rape Culture in India

In 2015 an Australian man was accused of stalking a woman and blamed it on Bollywood. At first, I laughed and then I thought back to every movie I had ever watched and came to a shocking realization: He was absolutely right in is way of thinking.

For years, Bollywood films have normalized the hyper sexualization of women as seen in the off-plot song and dance numbers featuring a scantily clad woman who serves no other purpose than to flash some skin and act as a tease. These item girls have always been a part of every Bollywood film to the point where it has become overlooked but it wasn’t until this case come up that I started to analyze the plot of the beloved movies I had come to associate with my childhood.

Up until recently there were little to no female characters who were independent in nature and were characterized as strong. For years, women have played the love interest and are primarily driven by their male counterparts. Men are also characterized by their violence and virility. Combined with the fact that Bollywood rarely discusses issues of gender-related violence and sexual assault (a prevalent issue all across India), the obliviousness to the sensitivity of the issue (nonchalance with rape as it can be tied into comic relief), as well as the normalization of cat-calling and sexual harassment because of a woman’s choice in clothing, Indian men are raised to believe this is appropriate behavior.

When Sandesh Baliga said Bollywood movies had taught him that relentlessly pursuing women was the only way to woo them, he had a legitimate point.

Baliga’s case was an eyeopening experience for prominent figures in Bollywood who began to take action. A famous Indian actor began an campaign called MARD (Men Against Rape and Discrimination) and enlisted other stars to support the movement.

A short film titled “No Country for Women” took Bollywood tropes and juxtaposed them with incidents of rape and gang rape in India which hit home for many.

Pop culture and media has a glaring impact on the youth of today and that is entirely unavoidable. To raise a generation that is respectful of one’s boundaries should not prove to be so difficult but yet Indian film and television make it so. We should make it a priority to boycott misogyny in the media so that young boys and girls and learn to be better people based on what they are exposed to on a daily basis

Signing off,
Joanne

Does title IX protection taken from Trans Gender students!

“On February 23 the U.S department of education and U.S department of justice rescinded the guidance issued by Obama’s administration on accommodating transgender and gender nonconforming students under title IX.”

The guidance was had helped secure equal protection for transgender students and having their pronouns, names and gender identities respected. The largest controversy with the guidance is that it requires federally funded schools to give said students appropriate access to facilities depending on their gender. Despite approval of the guidance it last very long under Trump’s leadership. Where does this tie in with campus sexual assault? Title IX states:  “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” However as we know the law was not extended to Trans gender students. Without the guidance it opens up discrimination and encourages criminal acts towards transgender students. This will not only lessen the consequence for things such as assault but it will also make it harder for the crimes to be deemed as hate crimes.

Records show that trans students encounter high levels of discrimination on college campuses. They not only experience greater rates of intimate partner violence but also sexual assault and sexual harassment.  76% of transgender students feel unsafe on college campuses. Despite these facts Trump still choose to rescind the one of the only laws protecting transgender students on college campuses. Many organizations are expressing their disapproval of the rescind. In recent news nearly 2,500 religious figures declare support for equal protection of transgender teens. Yet as the citizens opinion changes are laws are still stagnant. The refusal to extend laws that have never explicitly excluded Transgenders is the biggest example of it.

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-Alicia

Calling all Rapists! Come Join Us at our International Meetup Day

Just when a video of a cute dog that can say ‘I love you’ restores your faith in humanity, along come the pro-rape activists. 

It’s hard to believe that anyone would be pro-rape considering you’d have to be a seriously sick person to stand by such a horrid act but that’s where Daryush Valizadeh comes in, or as the internet knows him Roosh V.

In February of 2015, Valizadeh made headlines when he proposed that rape should not be made punishable by law if done on private property.

“If rape becomes legal under my proposal, a girl will protect her body in the same manner that she protects her purse and smartphone. If rape becomes legal, a girl will not enter an impaired state of mind where she can’t resist being dragged off to a bedroom with a man who she is unsure of—she’ll scream, yell, or kick at his attempt while bystanders are still around. If rape becomes legal, she will never be unchaperoned with a man she doesn’t want to sleep with. After several months of advertising this law throughout the land, rape would be virtually eliminated on the first day it is applied.”

Valizadeh made headlines early this year when he launched an “International Meetup Day”for his supporters who are meant to gather in a covert manner in locations all around the globe. Approximately 165 meetings are schedules in 43 countries and this decision has sparked backlash from leaders all around the globe.

Mayors in the U.K, Canada, and Australia as well as petitions surpassing 50,000 signatures have called for the blogger to be banned from each respective country. Women, gay, and trans men are barred from attending such meetings.

Valizadeh has promised to “exact furious retribution upon anyone who challenges [his followers] in public” and has stated that the meetup is meant to solidify his followers as well as create friendships among them.

I remember when women were leaving scathing reviews on Roosh’s book to ensure that would not make it on Amazon’s ranks. In his book, he details an incident which would be considered rape in the United States as the woman was intoxicated and did not express consent. Roosh has profited from his misdeeds and is a blatantly hateful individual whose ideas of neomasculinity encourages misogyny.

To conclude, an individual who promoted the legalization of rape and masked it under the title of satire was put in his place by thousands of people around the world effectively proving my belief that hate will never win.

Signing off,
Joanne

Our New President and the Allegations

In one of the craziest election periods ever, a lot of different information came out about both candidates during their campaigns. But one that really stuck was all of the allegations that were coming out about Donald Trump. A total of 15 women accused Donald Trump of sexual assault or sexual harassment, and now that Trump was inaugurated, it is shocking  to think that our nation chose someone with so many accusations to become the future leader and face of the United States of America. The people that voted for him were able to look over all of the rape allegations that were brought against him, and only focus on what they agreed with him. It doesn’t really make sense to me how someone could just overlook 15 rape allegations, on top of all the different things he has said about immigrants and about women. Almost all of the allegations are women who were either part of Miss USA or Apprentice, and he walked in on them in the dressing room changing and then didn’t leave, or they were just near him and he just decided to grab them inappropriately. Regardless, someone who can’t control themselves around other women should be in control of this country.

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-Stella

The Shot Tasted Round the World

We’re all pretty knowledgable about the link between alcohol and sexual assault but were you aware that there is a shot out there that can prevent such a thing from happening?

The Iberian Rooster, a Florida restaurant, and a South African Hooters made waves in December of 2016 when some signs in the women’s restrooms were posted on the likes of Facebook and Twitter.

“Is your Tinder or Plenty of Fish date not who they said they were on their profile?” the sign reads.“Do you feel unsafe, or even just a little bit weird? We’re here to help. Just go to the bar and order an angel shot.”

If the shot is ordered neat, bartenders know to escort the customer to her vehicle. If ordered with ice, the bartender will call an Uber or Lyft. And, if the customer orders an angel shot with lime, the bartender will call the police.

This trend began in St. Albens, England after staff at The Brickyard posted a sign instructing women who were uncomfortable with their date to ask the bartender for Rachel or Jennifer. These pseudonyms alert the bartender of their discomfort which would then prompt the staff to call for a taxi.

With the rise of dating apps from 2009-2017, there has been a steady increase in cases of rape occurring during the first face-to-face meeting of people who met online. The veil of anonymity provided by the internet emboldens people who dare to take risks they usually wouldn’t. Relationships involving individuals who meet online progress at a much faster rate and along with that comes a whole slew of problems. Online, people tend to flirt or behave in a promiscuous manner that may not necessarily reveal their desire to engage in intimate acts. However, a lack of proper communication between both parties can create situations where the expectations are mismatched and suddenly one becomes a victim while the other takes on a role as the offender.

In this day and age, it is nice to see that bars are taking a step forward to prevent sexual assault and rape. The fact that sexual aggressors use bars as a “staging ground” for selecting, isolating, and even incapacitating their target has become normalized but there seems to be very little action taken by such establishments to create a safe space for their patrons. However these little steps go a long way.

Collective Action for Safe Spaces (CASS) has identified the issue and chosen to address it by implementing a project entitled Safe Bars. The project focuses on teaching people skills for intervening in unwanted sexual aggression. Bar staffers are taught to recognize subtle signs that may indicate discomfort and cover specific strategies for intervening. Bystander intervention techniques include distracting the aggressor and getting involved if given even the slightest hint of physical discomfort as the cost of checking is slim to none but the cost of letting it pass can be fatal. Safe Bars also encourages staff members to share with bar patrons safety messages that encourage respect that let customers know that bar staff are available for help as well as actively promote bars that adopt safety standards. ‘Safe Bar’ certifications are awarded to bars that complete the training.

So far 20 Bars have been credited as Safe Bars and the numbers are only getting better. In September of 2016, Safe Bars received over a hundred requests to set up programs across the United States.

Although there is action that is currently being taken, the movement itself is small and unbeknownst to many. It is our responsibility to encourage this and aim for every bar in the United States to be labeled a safe bar.

Women should never have to experience victim blaming or feel threatened when they’re going out to have a good time. We need more angel shots, more safe bars, and we need to adopt the title of a Rachel or a Jennifer and become the change we wish to see in our generation.

Signing off,
Joanne