We don’t get taught about consent, rape, and sexual assault. This issue causes confusion of what rape and sexual assault is. A lot of women do not even realize they were sexually assaulted or raped until years later which is one reason why women don’t speak up about their experiences. We need to look out for each other and educate one another to get through this.

The biggest issue with this has nothing to do with us, but with the perpetuators. We can only do so much to prevent situations from happening or help situations that did happen. I have experienced many situations that were not okay, but I did not realize until years later. I was not educated on what consent is or what rape can be. In my teenage mind, rape was saying no but being forced any ways. It is so much more than that, but a lot of women don’t know this.

“Consent is an agreement between participants to engage in sexual activity. Consent cannot be given by individuals who are underage, intoxicated or incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, or asleep or unconscious” (What Consent Looks Like). Since we were not taught the deeper levels of consent a lot of women will participate in sexual activity due to being manipulated, harassed, or under the influence. With education and support we can help women understand future situations and past situations.

Obviously we do not want these situations to happen to anyone, but they do and it’s better to be prepared and know what could happen. One situation that you should look out for is if someone is begging you to partake in sexual activity. They can use manipulation tactics like making you feel bad, threatening you, or harassment. If you do not want to do anything, you do not have to say yes. We have been conditioned to feel bad if we aren’t doing what someone wants and that has harmed many women. You giving in is not the same as you giving consent.

I have had many friends who have told me stories and I had to tell them that what happened was not okay. It is very hard to break that news to someone but it can save a lot of women. Being educated on what consent and rape actually is can save you from a lot of bad situations. It’s better to know now than realizing years later since a lot of women cannot get justice when they speak on something that happened years ago.  Below I will link websites where you can learn more about what consent is and learn what you can do if you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted. Are there any issues you are interested in and want me to talk about? To help make a change share this post with women you know.

https://dworakpeck.usc.edu/news/6-things-to-do-after-youve-been-sexually-assaulted

https://www.edutopia.org/article/role-education-preventing-sexual-misconduct

“What Consent Looks Like.” RAINN, https://www.rainn.org/articles/what-is-consent.