My CSL placement with SACE (Sexual Assault Center of Edmonton) is aligned
to the education on consent we discussed in class this Thursday. I am creating
a presentation identifying and critically analyzing rape culture to be
presented to a high school Career and Life Management (CALM) class.
SACE's public education allows teens
the space to ask questions and clarify definitions of consent and sexual
assault; it forces people to be accountable to themselves and their peers. I have been developing my ideas based
on what I would’ve liked to learn when I was in high school. I didn’t know what
sexual assault actually was until my second year of university. It seems
counter-intuitive to educate people about consent after many of the age cohort
are already sexually active; it would make sense to define consent before the
average age people start having sex to prevent sexual assaults from happening
in the first place.
The mistaken belief clause is an issue
I believe is integral to combating rape culture. People are constantly
justifying and excusing sexual abuse because of a 'miscommunication'. There
have been many recent examples of this: Rehtaeh Parsons in Halifax (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
This belief implies the innocence of
the offender based on lack of knowledge; however, this standpoint is in-congruent with societal expectations in other realms of life, even for teens.
In learning how to drive, the new driver is expected to engage in specific
training regimes both in theory and in practice to ensure the safe operation of
the motor vehicle. Moreover, once a driver’s license is obtained, drivers are
expected to be informed on the limitations and rules that apply that to them,
such as zero alcohol tolerance with a GDL license. In the same way, before
engaging in a sexual encounter, both participants should be well aware of their
rights and responsibilities.
I am centering my project on the
media’s portrayal of rape in advertising, social media, movies, music and
everyday language. I believe that these venues are more than mere
entertainment, their ideas permeate our ideologies. Media content is often
justified as a reflection of society's mores and it is the acceptance of rape
culture that facilitates sexual assault to occur; it is only through
questioning our norms and critiquing the media that rape culture can be combated.
We aren’t as progressive or advanced as we like to think, we are a product of
our time and place, shaped by our cultural context which is driven largely by
the media.
Congratulations on your project! I agree; it is about time our youth understood the law. The readings of “Canadian sexual assault law” by Lise Gotell outline for us the progression of Canadian laws on sexual assault and consent. Our country enjoys these laws because of determined women and men who worked hard for our protection. In class we spoke briefly about how these laws are interpreted and enforced. The laws are in place, the social acceptance is not. Education of what the laws are, where the limits are, and what the consequences are, should be mandatory in our schools.
ReplyDeleteThe examples you quoted are good. I would like to add a social media example that I believe expresses how our society, and societies around the world, embraces rape. Robin Thicke’s song and video “Blurred Lines.” This song was number one in thirteen countries. I read and interview where Thicke openly admitted, how when they wrote the song, they tried to say as many derogatory things about women as possible. It is disturbing to know that a musician can write and sing a catchy song that challenges the concept of “no means no,” stating how it’s all just “blurred lines.” We need to respond. To change what our youth are learning, to provide them with an alternative way of thinking.
If “advertising, social media, movies, music and everyday language” are leading us in a backwards-uneducated direction, then we need to counteract with education. I hope your presentation is embraced and expanded to all high schools and Jr. high schools.