I'm proud to be an American... woman?

As you may be aware, this month has been a bad one for women's rights. And by bad, I mean that recent developments have made plain the fact that not only are people's opinions on women's rights still shockingly backwards, but that the big wigs in control of our government are attempting to alter our laws to reflect such views.

On February 15, I first got a revolting taste of those opinions when CBS News released a report that their chief foreign affairs correspondent, Lara Logan, was "surrounded and suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault and beating" while covering celebrations in Tharir Square. Afterward, Logan did what many female reporters have not- she went public with the incident. According to the New York Times' Kim Barker, a significant number of female journalists are sexually assaulted while abroad, but few report it for fear of losing access to stories and jobs or being viewed as vulnerable or irresponsible- and the latter fear has been proven to be a legitimate one in Logan's case. In response to Logan's assault, Nir Rosen, an American journalist, infamously tweeted the sentiment that Logan was a "war monger" who "was probably groped like thousands of other women", so "i just think she's so bad that i ran out of sympathy for her". Before we condemn Rosen as a typically insensitive male chauvinist, I'll also mention the all-wise "journalist" Debbie Schlussel's blog comments, stating that the situation was "So sad, too bad, Lara. No one told her to go there. She knew the risks". I also read the opinions of many lesser-known bloggers and forum entries that blame Logan for the assault because she is a "blond woman" and "beautiful".

These types of responses reflect two common and incorrect sentiments regarding sexual assaults on women- that the responsibility and cause for the assault lies with the woman, whether it is because she is scantily dressed, or attractive, or whatever other convenient excuse is available, and that rape and assaults are the result of the assailant's uncontrollable sex drive, stimulated by some indiscretion on the part of the victim.

Before I move on to how anti-women views have been reinforced by recent law-making attempts, let me first clear up any confusion that anyone who subscribes to these views may have. Sexual assault is NEVER the result of a victim's behavior. Even if the victim has willingly put herself in what may seem a dangerous situation- say, going home with a stranger, drinking, or, as in Logan's case, reporting in a turbulent and unpredictable environment, assault is always the conscious choice of the attacker, not the victim. As Heather Corinna, a sex educator and writer put it, "While things like alcohol can increase the risk of rape, no one takes a drink because they want to be raped; they take a drink because they want a drink". Consensual sex occurs when both parties desire to engage in sexual activity; rape and assault occur when one person does not (or no longer) desires engagement in a sexual activity. Period.

Blatant sexism is not a view confined to irresponsible bloggers, however. At the end of last month, the House of Representative's Republican majority was attempting to implement the "No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act", which would have changed the current abortion exemption for rape survivors to be available only to victims of so-called "forcible rape". Thus, the legal definition of rape would be changed. A rape victim whose assault was not considered "forcible" enough- such as in cases of adult victims of incest, statutory rape, many date rape victims, and woman who were raped while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, to name a few- would not be eligible for federal funding for an abortion. As Steph Sterling, a lawyer and senior adviser to the National Women's Law Center, commented, "This bill takes us back to a time when just saying 'no' wasn't enough to qualify as rape".

Early this month, it came to the media's attention that Bobby Franklin, a Republican representative in Georgia, had proposed two bills- the first of which would change the official code of Georgia to change the term of "victim" to "accuser" in cases of rape, stalking and domestic violence. The second proposed bill would require any woman who suffered a miscarriage to prove that there had been "no human involvement whatsoever" in the miscarriage, and that anyone convicted of such involvement would face the death penalty or life in prison.

These are just the cherries in the bunch of misogynistic actions of this very young year. Reading stories like these make me feel like I've entered some sort of twisted Twilight Zone where women's rights have been repealed to those of half a century ago, where the logic states that we are responsible for what others decide to do to our bodies, regardless of our consent, but have no right to determine we want for our bodies and lives. But this is not an alternate dimension. These things are happening to us, right now. However, I would not bring up a problem without offering a solution.

As always, write your local and federal-level lawmakers. As futile as it seems (and perhaps is), it's important that the asshole who is trying to take away your rights (and the rights of you sister, daughter, mother, and girlfriend) knows that you are going to fight against him. But more importantly, if you are like me and feel sick to your stomach every time you see a responding e-mail from a representative in your inbox, take part in an action that no law, law-maker, or politician can wipe away- education. The perspectives that dominate the people who make these decisions begin in ignorance, stereotype, and rhetoric. Whenever we educate ourselves, we become equipped to educate others about how such perspectives hurt not only our women, but our men, children, families, and world as a whole. Rape and assault are not women's causes- they are human causes. These actions affect all of us, and we can do our part to prevent them by equipping ourselves with accurate, unbiased information and by standing up against those who refuse to recognize the worth and validity of another individual's rights and decisions.



Here are a few articles you may find helpful:

Blinders Off: Getting a Good Look at Abuse and Assault

How You Guys -- that's right, you GUYS -- Can Prevent Rape

Does the Media Finally Get That Anti-Choice Is About Far More Than Abortion?

Why "Gray Rape" Doesn't Exist

How Can Sex Ed Prevent Rape?

I Stand With Planned Parenthood- An Open Letter to Congress