The truth is that rape victims look like ordinary women, and men. The truth is that rapists look like ordinary men (& occasionally ordinary women – 98% of sexual violence is perpetrated by men). The truth is that rape is a devastating and horrific act of violence, the most frequent human rights abuse in the world today. The truth is that rape can, and does, happen to anyone, anywhere, of any background, any religion, any culture, any socio-economic group, at any time. Rape happens in the home and in the street, in times of war and times of peace, to women and to men, to children and to adults. The most essential truths are that rape happens too often to too many of us and, that we can prevent it.

Solidarity with victims and the distribution of accurate, precise information about sexual violence are two of the most powerful things we can do to establish a culture that will resist sexual violence, rather than enable it. The two go hand in hand: when we can publicly hear victims, care for them and support them and, when we can discuss rape calmly, factually and candidly, then, we will be able to see rapists for the criminals they are, prosecute them appropriately and, most importantly, prevent further victimisation from occurring.

Day 2. The image of rape | 16 Impacts of Sexual Assault (via heavenearthandhoratio)

(via heavenearthandhoratio)