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Jayla Harrison

Prof. Joy McDonald


English 101-05
November 9th, 2016

Jayla Harrison
100 E Queen Street, Virginia Cleveland C8
Hampton, VA 23668
November 9th, 2016
Dear Men:
Imagine having a very valuable cashmere sweater that is extremely delicate and coveted. Now
imagine that same sweater being taken and stretched into by someone 4 sizes too large without
your consent. Oh, cant you just hear the thread ripping now? Congratulations, you have just
envisioned rape. Rape culture is real. Consent is a necessity for sexual relations. Contrary to
belief, a little black dress is not an open invitation for sex; nor is a shapely body or a kiss. Well
what did you have on?, should not be a question asked by investigators when talking to a rape
victim. Men rape women everyday solely off of appearance or behavior and dont think twice
about it. Having to persuade a woman into sex, in more ways than one, is not a yes. It is a simple
yes or no question.
The truth is, nearly 1 in 5 (18.3%) women will be raped in their adult years, 37.4% of female

rape victims were first raped between ages 18-24 and 42.2% of female rape victims were first
raped before age 18. Although heart breaking, these are the facts and figures. Going out every
day, looking nice and smelling good, should not be a high risk as a woman in the United States.
How is it that a man can walk around buff with no shirt on trying to show off his muscles, but
a woman cannot wear a dress to show off her curves without it being taken sexually? It is
because of todays overly sexualized society. From the music we listen to, to the movies we
watch; there is always a cat call or two. Or even worse, a man commenting on how big certain
body parts are. From a personal standpoint, it is disheartening to know that I could be at risk
along with the rest of my colleagues. Being a college student, there are many occasions where
women walk alone all over campus after a long night at the library or even walking back to the
dorms after a party. Under these circumstances, most victims know the predator. Studies have
shown, 46.7% of rape victims personally knew their perpetrators. Thinking someone is a friend,
they could easily force themselves on you and by that time its too late.
One of the most common ways women are taken advantage of is through the usage of date rape
drugs. Unfortunately, the number of date rapes have increased significantly. It is thought that the

average girl just got drunk so she had sex with a guy she just met; making her easy. While that
is still rape, it couldve easily been something more in the drink. Rohypnol (roofies), GHB,
Ketamine, Ecstasy and LSD are all common drugs that are slipped into drinks mid-conversation
at the bar. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are trying their best to keep people educated and aware
on these situations. For example, the manufacturer of Rohypnol recently changed the pill so
when its dissolved into a drink the liquid turns blue. Prevention and awareness are the first steps
to stopping this rape epidemic.
Rape is a serious topic that has been taken lightly among the community. If it were a family
member, would taking someone for granted still be brushed under a rug? Sexual education
classes and anti-rape seminars should be a required in all schools across the nation. Also, couture
and music should be made more respectful if it is being publicized. Until our generation learns to
value one another, rape will continue to be prevalent. Learn the difference between a yes and a
no.
Sincerely,
Jayla Harrison

Works Cited
By StateDrug Use and SuicideDrug Abuse in High SchoolDrug Abuse in Middle SchoolDrug
ParaphernaliaDrug Slang TermsEmergency Room StatisticsEmerging and Popular
DrugsGenetics and AddictionHow to Get Help for Teenage Alcohol AbuseIdentifying
Teenage Alcohol. "Date Rape: What Drugs To Watch Out For In Social Settings." Teen
Rehab Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
Chemaly, Soraya. "50 Actual Facts About Rape." The Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com,
n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.
Shneed, Tierney. "CDC: 1 in 5 Women Raped, Often by Someone They Know." US News.
U.S.News & World Report, n.d. Web. 11 Nov. 2016.

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