What is 'rape culture'?

Nowadays, youth are growing up in a culture that both sexualizes and promotes the act of sexual violence. RAINN, the creator of the sexual violence hotline, found that 82% of all sexual assault victims are minors. Sexual violence has become the new norm in our children's lives. "Rape Culture' describes the community that diminishes the trauma of sexual violence, promotes unconsensual activity, and creates humorous jokes out of violent situations. Rape Culture is so normalized that many people do not even know the phrases they are saying promote sexual violence as a norm. Check out some of the most common phrases below:

Oftentimes we dismiss sexual violence for youth, saying it is simply a matter of maturity. However, by allowing these statements to simply be said, it enables the Rape Culture that is so prominent in our community. We need to teach our youth the importance of respect and boundary setting, as well as the consequences their words may have. By simply raising awareness in your home about the hateful affects of Rape Culture, you are preventing exploitation.