POSTED AT 12:00 AM ON Sep. 5, 2006 | PRINT | Email | SHARE | COMMENTS (0)

Ladies, protect yourself from rape. Walk at night in groups. Don't wear revealing clothing. Don't drink too much.

This kind of public service announcement, though typically delivered with benevolent intentions, is regressive and devastating for rape victims and ultimately promotes the denial of some substantial personal freedom.

And though many educated people can point this out easily, it's a perpetual way to promote the "prevention of rape." On Saturday, the Bloomington Herald-Times published a small news article about a 19-year-old woman who was raped at a northside apartment.

The police officer cited in the article urged people "to lock their doors," almost blatantly putting blame on the sexual assault victim.

In our rape culture, this is the essential problem. A popular conception of rape prevention and explanation is that it is the victim's responsibility to protect him or herself from the absolute possibility of rape, that rape is out there -- and we must hide from it.

It's so easy to blame the victim in these cases.

Golly, if that young woman had never kissed her date or wore that tiny skirt or drank alcohol excessively, or if that young man hadn't been walking alone along that unlit path or wearing makeup, they would've been alright.

It's absolutely important and sometimes effective, even, to promote responsible behavior. Still, don't young women have the right to binge drink and wear minimal clothing if that's what they choose without being disgustingly disrespected and violated on physical, mental and emotional levels?

That's the problem: It's easier to urge potential rape victims to avoid certain activities than to teach potential rapists not to rape.

I know there are attempts being made. On IU's campus, the Men's Coalition and Raising Awareness of Interactions in Sexual Encounters aims to educate people on the true meanings and implications of rape and sexual assault. This is a very progressive and effective step in the right direction -- but it's not enough.

Those without the resources to obtain higher education are aware only of the acceptance of rape and gender roles that reinforce ideas about whom to blame for assault.

This is devastating not only because of what it means for potential victims' freedom, but also because of what it means for victims themselves.

Sexual assaults are notoriously under-reported because of the guilt victims feel as imposed on them by society, including, as we saw in Saturday's newspaper, the media. It's a vicious and horribly unfortunate circle.

I, personally, will not live in fear. I will take a care of myself, but I refuse to fear such discouraged things like running alone at night.

It's up to all of us to make a change.