Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture—and What We Can Do About It

Imagine a world where the truth about sexual violence is obscured by layers of myth and misunderstanding. Rape is often misunderstood not as a crime of power and control, but as a confusing miscommunication or, worse, a regretted sexual encounter. Society clings to comforting myths—like 'she asked for it' or 'he didn’t mean to'—because they preserve a sense of order in an otherwise frightening reality. These myths shift blame from perpetrators to victims, suggesting that a woman’s clothing, behavior, or past sexual history somehow invites assault. Yet, the core of the crime lies not in sex, but in the violation of autonomy—the fundamental human right to decide who may touch one’s body.

Studies reveal that men are quite capable of understanding indirect refusals; women often communicate 'no' without uttering the word explicitly. But some men choose to ignore these signals, driven not by confusion but by entitlement and desire for control. This reality shatters the comforting but false narrative of accidental rape and demands that we see sexual violence for what it truly is: deliberate and violent.

Despite popular fears, false accusations are rare, estimated at only 2 to 8 percent of cases. Yet, society is obsessed with the possibility of lies, often doubting victims before hearing their stories. This skepticism discourages reporting and allows many rapists to evade justice. Understanding these truths is the first step toward dismantling the myths that sustain rape culture.

Let us carry these insights forward as we explore the burdens placed on women to prevent assault and the flawed advice that reinforces victim blaming.