As most of you have heard by now, over the weekend
Congressman Todd Akin of Missouri made deeply disturbing and misinformed
comments about sexual assault and women’s reproductive health. He said that
women who are “legitimately” raped do not get pregnant: "If it's a
legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing
down," he said.
This is, of course, misinformed and betrays a lack of basic
knowledge about sexual assault and women’s physiology. The sad reality is that
there are many myths about sexual assault that permeate our culture and, in
turn, perpetuate violence. To respond to Akin by merely saying, “oh that’s
ridiculous” ignores the fact that many people around us do believe these types
of myths about rape.
An important response about these myths has come from the
American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “A woman who is raped has
no control over ovulation, fertilization, or implantation of a fertilized egg
(ie, pregnancy). To suggest otherwise contradicts basic biological truths.”
Yesterday, President Obama responded by saying “rape is rape,” and decried Akin’s comments. Obama said, “So what I think [Akin’s]
comments do underscore is why we shouldn’t have a bunch of politicians, a
majority of whom are men, making health care decisions on behalf of women.”
It’s time to speak out when legislators and leaders are
using these untruths to shape public policies.
·
First, let’s educate ourselves about common rape
myths so we can stand up against rape culture. Our allies at Rape Victim
Advocates in Chicago have gathered an excellent list of myths and facts to get started.
· Next, consider taking action to help pass the Violence Against Women Act, which offers protection to survivors of sexual
assault and domestic violence.
·
To learn more about CAASE’s work to hold
perpetrators of sexual violence accountable, visit our legal services page.
Posts
