Two Steubenville High School football players were found guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl. The two teens sobbed openly in court and said they were sorry, but I find their reactions to be too little, too late. Their public break-downs only came after their guilty verdicts were read and their rapist labels applied. They are now sex offenders who will be imprisoned for their deplorable actions, but the buck may not stop there. According to
this
New York Times article, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is pushing for a Grand Jury investigation into charges against other teens, parents, and school officials who learned of the rape and did nothing. I agree with the push for further investigation as the sexual abuse of girls and women is a societal problem and all involved should be held accountable, rather than be allowed to sit quietly on the sidelines.
DeWine went on to say the victim was "continually victimized" through social media outlets where the rapists and others who witnessed or learned of the assault posted pictures, videos, tweets and comments about the despicable treatment of the young victim who, it is reported, was too drunk to stop her attack.
As for the numerous comments that I have had the misfortune of reading on various websites that suggest the young girl should have known that she was opening herself up to being raped, it is time for society to stop blaming rape victims for their assaults. These charges are never levied against men as males are not viewed as 'asking for it' if they drink too much or wear tight pants. If a man is mugged at an ATM late at night, there is no outcry (rightfully so) of him 'asking for it' for being out alone, late at
night, at a bank machine.
So, comes the reality that what I wear, what I say, how I walk, how much I drink, where I go, and what I do is irrelevant when it comes to my right to be free and safe. My words, my actions, my looks, and my gender cannot be used to justify the illegal or perverse behavior of others.
