<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none;" alt="" src="https://ct.pinterest.com/v3/?event=init&tid=2614282271773&pd[em]=&noscript=1" /> Skip to Content

He’s a monster, and she asked for it, but let’s not talk about it!

Did you know that the US ranks 13 for rape in the world? According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted.

Rape, incest, and abuse are rampant in our society. These numbers continue to rise because we accept the silence culture, refuse to learn the real facts about rape, and detach ourselves from the issue.

We can all participate in preventing sexual crimes by promoting rape literacy, openness, and compassion.

In December of 2011, the FBI finally changed its 85-year-old definition of rape from “the carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will” to “penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”

We are making progress in treating sexual assault as a gender-neutral issue, recognizing that males are also raped, but until we see rape as any unwanted, unconsented sexual act or contact, whether attempted or completed, we fail to grasp the scope of this issue and remain illiterate as a nation.

Without an accurate definition of what rape really is, it is difficult to admit you have assaulted someone or to acknowledge you are a victim.

Webster’s Dictionary defines “victim” as “a person who is cheated, fooled, or hurt by another.”

Many women and men are reluctant to identify themselves as victims because of the negative connotation it has.

She asked for it

At age 19, I became a victim of sexual assault when I was kidnapped and almost killed by a merciless man. When I realized the stigma attached to this experience, I regretted surviving and wished the assailant had been successful in his attempted murder.

Besides the undesirable labels, most victims of sexual crimes face disbelief, blame, and invalidation. This is especially true when victims have engaged in behaviors that may have heightened their vulnerability, such as drinking alcohol or walking alone in a dangerous part of town.

The fear of being dismissed, shamed, or blamed is the main reason why rape is the most under-reported crime in the U.S. The NSVRC estimates that 63% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police.

The popular notion that victims of sexual crimes must take “personal responsibility” for the inexcusable and almost irreparable pain that was inflicted upon them is not only an uneducated misconception, but also a damaging one.

The attack I endured was traumatizing, to say the least, but it was even more denigrating to have to appear in court, face the attacker, and be doubted and questioned as if I had fabricated the assault, or even worse, “asked for it.”

While most rape reports are assumed to be untrue and dismissed, in 2012 the NSVRC reported a prevalence of false reporting of only 2.1%.

Victim blaming happens in both subtle and overt ways. Consider an18-year-old victim identified as “Marie” who was bullied by the Lynnwood, Washington Police Department.

She was coerced into admitting she lied about being raped in August 2008, and eventually prosecuted for false reporting, facing up to a year in jail. In January of 2011, Marie received the news that pictures were found in attacker Marc O’Leary’s computer, proving her rape indeed happened.

No sympathy, apology, or concern was expressed at that time. She simply received a pamphlet with counseling information, along with a $500 refund for court costs.

O’Leary pleaded guilty to 28 counts of rape, five of which happened after Marie’s report had been dismissed as a lie.

He’s A Monster

Though we have much to learn, most of us agree that rape is a monstrous act. However, the mentality that perpetrators are monsters actually propagates rape culture too, because we are less likely to believe that anyone could commit these heinous crimes.

We also don’t ask ourselves why. In 2005, serial sex offender Brent Brents was sentenced to 1,509 years in prison for his guilty pleas to 68 counts of rape. In a 2007 interview with National Public Radio (NPR), he shared that his motivation was payback for the physical and sexual abuse he suffered as a child.

We are failing to ask the right questions about rape and choosing to ignore the answers we do have. Most people avoid having a conversation about rape, feel uncomfortable listening to rape remarks or stories, or deny that it happens.

The sense of secrecy is triggering to victims, adding unnecessary pain to a perpetually open wound. It also sends a message to people who are deliberately predatory that they will be protected and won’t have to face strict punishment.

Openness to discuss rape with children could prevent it from happening or accelerate the healing process, when inevitable.

Without well-informed, frank conversations about unconsented sex acts, there cannot be true compassion.

As a victim, I cherish when others genuinely demonstrate empathy, offer support, or provide a safe place for me to express my emotions. Such compassion and non-judgment makes it easier to report, open up, and heal.

But, what if we extended compassion to the sex offender? I begged my rapist to stop for four hours and he never did, so I wonder what life he led to numb him so.

Brent Brents was called a “punk” and a “monster” until he opened up to reporter Amy Herdy. She promised in a letter to treat him with dignity and respect, which turned out to be all he ever wanted.

“There are so many people who could have done something,” he affirmed to NPR. Could it be that the kindness and concern of a neighbor, a teacher, or a simple stranger could have impacted Brent Brents and possibly prevented the crimes he committed?

Perpetrators must severely pay for the crime they commit; however, it is imperative that their motivations be heard and studied.

We must look to the root and prevent future rapes, rather than focus on what someone could have done differently in an attack that already happened.

According to Dominic Williams, coordinator for convicted sex offenders returning to the community, “Rapists tend to have very low self-worth. They usually have one of two, if not both, of the following major issues: a deep unresolved anger towards women (usually rooted in domestic violence) and a great difficulty establishing relationships (due to having been abused, neglected or abandoned as children).”

Several studies reveal that sexual violence is often a learned behavior in childhood.

Rapist motivation has been associated with “childhood environments that are physically violent, emotionally unsupportive, and characterized by competition for scarce resources.” (Crowell NA, Burgess AW (eds.) Understanding violence against women. Washington, DC).

Let’s Not Talk About It

Rape is not “penetration.” Rape is not gender specific. Rape is a tragic act that strips both parties of the possibility of a decent life.

Rape is a heartbreaking epidemic you can help prevent as you focus on becoming educated, have the courage to openly speak about sexual crimes, and offer words of kindness to both victims and so called villains.

Rapists are not monsters, victims didn’t ask for it – let’s talk about it!

Elayna is a homeschool educator, single mom of 4, founder of the Positive MOM Community, award-winning Storyteller, Story Strategist, and Student of Pain. She’s a bestselling author, internationally acclaimed keynote speaker, and 3x TEDx speaker. To receive a gift from Elayna, click HERE.

Be Positive and You Will Be Powerful ~ Elayna FernandBe Positive and You Will Be Powerful ~ Elayna Fernandez ~ The Positive MOMez ~ The Positive MOM
Want to support the Positive MOM blog?

The mission of the Positive MOM blog is to help moms break trauma cycles, find peace, and feel emotionally whole, so they can practice supportive parenting and create a positive and healthy environment for their children. If you found Elayna’s content valuable, please consider donating a love offering to enable her to keep creating content and helping more moms worldwide. Donate HERE.

Moms, Learn How to Spot Frenemies and Fair-weather Friends!

Sunday 10th of January 2021

[…] There will always be a group that will show no mercy for you because they will quickly jump to the conclusion that you must have “asked for it.” […]

7 Things You Need To Let Go Of To Be Happier And More Positive In Life ★ Elayna Fernandez ~ The Positive MOM ♥

Sunday 12th of January 2020

[…] back to the truth of who God says I am and who God says the other person is, too. It helps me avoid making a villain out of someone who is just living as best as they […]

Susan Hilde

Thursday 11th of January 2018

To some extent, public consciousness is raised about this issue, but there still is much ignorance. I have worked in social services agencies for 42 years (I am in my 60's). I have met child victims who were beaten by their parents for "leading on the abuser" or "telling lies about someone so nice". I have met high school and college students who dropped out or transferred to escape the rapist, his friends and hostile administrators. I have met rape victims who were dumped by their friends and relatives, fired from their jobs, expelled from their churches and divorced by their husbands. I have heard of women like Marie (the 18 year old from Lynnwood, WA) who relocated to escape harassment and slander. The assault is bad enough, but the secondary wounding in some cases is even worse. Sadly, many victims receive terrible hostility from other women. It's an old story. Women feel afraid of sexual violence. They deal with their fear by disbelieving or slut shaming victims. They turn their horror and contempt onto the rape victim instead of the rapist. Very sad.

VK

Friday 16th of April 2021

@Susan Hilde, Please never mention the name of the victim as they maybe in dangerous situation. Also, due to confidentiallity social workers aren't supposed to disclose personal information of the victim.

Are You Living In The Now Like There Is No Tomorrow? #PixarCocoEvent @GaelGarciaB ★ Elayna Fernandez ~ The Positive MOM ♥

Monday 20th of November 2017

[…] that is. There is a balance that must be found in honoring your past, living in the present, and owning your future. I call this having an eternal perspective, and it is certainly a way of living that is more […]

Dania Santana

Tuesday 22nd of August 2017

You are so right! We often see a lot of blame going around when it comes to rape, but it's also such a taboo topic that most people avoid talking about, because it makes us uncomfortable. We must talk about it, address it and find ways to eliminate these types of attacks by being more open and offer more information to prevent them, but also keep in mind to show empathy for both parties involved. Thanks for raising awareness about this!