The Societal Response to Rape and Sexual Violence

An opinion piece that reflects on how issues of sexual violence are addressed in society

The topics of rape and sexual violence and abuse are often overlooked. Even the words alone make people squirm in their seats. Uncomfortable. Soon to be followed by someone talking over you and quickly changing the subject. Society has taught us to not mention these words and to hope that perhaps the subject will resolve itself. There’s some kind of unspoken rule among our society. People don’t stop to think about the people involved or how they must be feeling. The awkwardness and shunning seems to be woven into the fabric of our modern society.

This attitude has made survivors’ journeys more complex to resolve. The constant anxiety derived from people’s opinions and judgement. Too scared to share their stories.

Society teaches ‘don’t get raped’ instead of ‘don’t rape’. As if the blame somehow lies with the victim. We hear time and time again sentences like ‘pull your skirt down, it’s too short’ and ‘make sure you’ve got your phone and keys on you’. But never actually dealing with the root of the issue - rapists.

As this ‘society’ portrays rape and sexual violence as unspoken words, as the victim's’ fault, we need to reduce the taboo, and the stigma behind this crime. Over the past couple of years, campaigns have been starting to do this. For example, #metoo and #timesup, and now StandUP! Slowly, but surely society is getting the message. We must strive to continue on this path; for the benefit of current and future generations alike.

Written by Hannah Grewcock and Pixie Murray
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Hannah and Pixie are Third Year students at Dornoch Academy. They recently won their school's YPI competition by representing RASASH and delivering a powerful presentation covering topics as diverse as rape culture, sexual violence taboos and the absolute need for support for survivors. 

Pixie: I first found my interest in RASASH when participating in my school’s YPI (Youth and Philanthropy Initiative) project. My team chose to represent the charity because they were targeting issues that we believed needed to be addressed. The topic of rape and sexual violence is one that is frequently overlooked and we want to help change this. After we won our school’s YPI project, we decided to keep in touch with RASASH and to keep educating people on the issue of rape and sexual violence. As well as this, in my spare time I enjoy playing in pipe bands, debating political issues and current affairs, mentoring, campaigning and blogging!

Hannah: I am a third-year pupil from Dornoch Academy. I first was interested in supporting RASASH as a Highland Youth Parliament representative. Later, deciding to represent RASASH, with my team, at YPI (Youth Philanthropy Initiative) and winning - I am immensely pleased that the money went to such a worthy cause. In my spare time, I enjoy playing smallpipes, volunteering, martial arts, and painting and sketching. RASASH deals with a topic which is seen as taboo, even today. It is a brilliant charity which deals with unspoken, and sensitive topics which aim to raise awareness and help those in this situation. After YPI, I wanted to help more - through this blog I wish to help bring light to the issues of rape and sexual abuse, and reduce the normalisation of these crimes - contributing to a positive change to everyone affected.