For anyone who's not quite sure about what Rape Culture is, I give you PROJECT UNBREAKABLE...

[MrScorpio]

http://projectunbreakable.tumblr.com

INFO

The mission of Project Unbreakable is to increase awareness of the issues surrounding sexual assault and encourage the act of healing through art. Since the project's conception in October 2011 by then nineteen year old Grace Brown, it has featured over three thousand images of sexual assault survivors holding posters with quotes from their attackers. Project Unbreakable has been featured media outlets such as Glamour, TIME, Buzzfeed, and The Guardian.

[treestar]

1. Wow, the parents?

[riqster]

27. I heard much the same from mine.

They did not want to admit their failure, or that their friends were such perverts. So, they decided I was crazy.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

33. He is such an upstanding member of our community....

there is no way he did what you said! you must of imagined it.

[riqster]

35. Yep. And the reparative surgeries? Why, accidents happen.

"You clumsy kid, watch where you sit down next time. And stop running with Popsicles in your mouth."

Seriously. Back in the early '60's, nobody wanted to think about child sex abuse, so even medical professionals would buy almost any alternative explanation, just so they could remain in denial.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

37. I hope you have found some peace for yourself.

It is amazing how parents, medical professionals and others thought back then. Yes, we still have a long way to go, but damn, we're talking about it! And kids have more protection now then ever before. That was not done at all back then. "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil", notice never said "do no evil". Is there any wonder that the UN made 1979 the Year of the Child?

[riqster]

39. Thanks, I have made progress on it. As has society overall.

Crimes of sexual violence are a long way from being fully acknowledged and adequately dealt with, but we are making progress.

Part of my healing is an admittedly strident advocacy for survivors of abuse. It hacks some people off, but hey, anyone who would excuse or minimize such behavior is not someone I would want to engage anyway.

[Scruffy Rumbler]

43. "Part of my healing is an admittedly strident advocacy for survivors of abuse."

I hear you. In my family, I am an advocate for my mother for similar reasons. I have seen my sister stop her car and get out to save a child from being manhandled by their parent. She and I have taken on the defenders of the underdog role because of our past experiences. To be quiet about it is to condone it.

[riqster]

44. "To be quiet about it is to condone it."

Perfectly phrased. Good on you!

[treestar]

54. omg

[riqster]

56. Thanks.

[Soylent Brice]

48. that was similar to my mom's response

when I finally told her.

[treestar]

55. I'm so sorry

[cyberswede]

2. Oh my god.

[Tsiyu]

3. I wish i could rec this more

You chose some chilling signs.

Thanks

[malthaussen]

4. "I love you" is the one that gets me.

Had a chat with a girl who was raped in the park at 14, and this is what her attacker told her as he broke her guitar and raped her.

-- Mal

[On the Road]

5. I Thought This Was About Rape *Culture*

The signs appear to be about physical rapes.

[MrScorpio]

7. It's that too

[IronLionZion]

23. This is a good post

lots of important stuff here.

[bettyellen]

20. you don't understand the concept. keep reading.

[DesertDiamond]

22. What rapists said as they were physically raping, or as an excuse. What others said to excuse the

rape. That's rape culture.

[KittyWampus]

38. the words spoken by the rapist aren't "physical". The reactions of parents, authorities, friends

aren't "physical".

[laundry_queen]

45. Jesus Mary and Joseph

[MrScorpio]

8. Check post #7

[bettyellen]

15. welcome back.

knock yourself out

[Lunacee_2013]

19. It's annoying that I can't see the "name removed" posts.

Any clue as to what he said?

[MrScorpio]

21. I know

That's what I get for going away

[Ohio Joe]

9. Even with this... The deniers come out...

It's amazing that it's allowed.

[MrScorpio]

11. I was waitin' for 'em...

Wink-wink!

[Whisp]

13. ...

unbelievable but it's right there.

[redqueen]

14. It really isn't. If only it was.

People put scare quotes around rape culture here. It's like watching conservatives talking about global warming.

[Ohio Joe]

17. The usage of quotes is a clear sign of a denial

And every last one of them is guilty of perpetuating and encouraging rape culture by denying it exists.

[brett_jv]

51. So, well-meaning and thoughtful people cannot POSSIBLY think this is the 'wrong approach' ...

That they might honestly wish to solve the problem just as much as you do, but after careful consideration have determined that this 'campaign' is wrong-minded and counter-productive? You think that's just impossible, do you?

Because that would be me. And to me, what this campaign is essentially saying to a would-be rapist is:

"Our culture/society seems to think rape is okay!"

That's the part of 'rape culture' THEY are gonna hear, even though there's also "... and it's really BAD!" that is obviously implied ... but it won't be understood by the people you're wanting to discourage.

Thus, I think that's a counter-productive message to send to a would-be rapist. I'd rather send the message that society does NOT think it's okay, that they are outcasts, freaks, criminals, and socially UNACCEPTABLE. I think that this 'rape culture' campaign is essentially giving them 'cover' for their actions.

Give that some thought, let it sink in for a minute ... and then explain to me exactly how/why my position on this is illogical?

But you can likely spare me your wisdom on what my 'real agenda' must be, simply because I disagree with the methodology being deployed in this particular campaign for a valid and needed change.

Because whatever you GUESS ... aside from 'I'm on your side' ... would be wrong.

You're free to think this campaign is the bee's knees, it's fine by me. So please extend me the same courtesy of believing it's really not the best way to go about accomplishing the goal we both desire. Sound fair?

[Ohio Joe]

52. I have zero issue with people having different thoughts on methodology, nor have I said that...

People who deny that rape culture exist are a different thing then people who think taking on the problem of rape should be done through different means.

[sufrommich]

24. Yep,their agenda is obvious. nt

[steve2470]

10. big kick and big rec ! nt

[marions ghost]

12. K&R

There are a lot of myths out there about rape.

And the biggest one is that it's uncommon.

[redqueen]

16. K&R

I've had a link to that site in my sig for years.

[LeftishBrit]

25. k&r & tears

[Heidi]

26. Kick, kick, kick!!!

[riqster]

28. Big, angry kick.

[riderinthestorm]

29. birthday K & R! nt

[Paladin]

30. K&R. (nt)

[thucythucy]

31. Thank you for posting this.

These quotes are infuriating, and heart breaking.

And these survivors are so courageous. Just wow.

[seabeyond]

32. ya. the "playing hard to get". i saw that on du, just yesterday. IF there

is not rape culture, what does that mean to flirting (which i do not get what flirting has to do with rape culture). does that mean no more "playing hard to get"? ahhh, now i get what "flirting" has to do with rape culture.

[gollygee]

34. That sounded to me like

"but I really LIKE rape culture!"

[sufrommich]

36. Oh my god,seriously?

That's sick.

[Ohio Joe]

41. Yes, it's true... I don't understand how shit like this does not get a pizza

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024755840#post84

[lupinella]

40. K&R

Keep up the good work.
I've got grief my entire adult life for being open about being a survivor, for talking out against people who minimize assault. Seeing so many Millennials taking a stand does this Gen-Xer's heart good.

[marew]

42. Heartbreaking... simply heartbreaking!

I've never had to experience anything like this. I know myself well enough to realize I would fall into a bottomless pit of grief and despair.
My whole heart goes out to anyone who has had to experience anything like this.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

46. Women are not told to fight them off, or get away from them if possible.

I was in several emotionally abusive relationships because nobody told me I didn't have to put up with negative men. I was not taught to assert myself, while my parents whined about how my sister had "friends" (both male and female) who would put her down.

Also, men are usually bigger and stronger, and a girl or woman can be afraid that if she tries to get away, he might hit her or kill her.

Just a thought.

NOTE:I am not blaming the victim. I am just talking about societal factors. I've been a victim of sexual assault as well as emotionally abusive relationships.

NOBODY TOLD ME TO STAND UP FOR MYSELF.

[lark]

47. Heart breaking

Tears in my eyes right now. I just don't understand how folks can be so damn mean and hurtful to those with less power than themselves. How can they live with themselves? How has our society devolved so far that women are just seen as trash, to be used and thrown away at whim? Why the fuck aren't colleges doing more to protect women, teach men sensitivity to others?

[Manifestor_of_Light]

49. It should have started when I was a child.

It's about a lack of boundaries. I had none. My parents could walk into my room, I wasn't supposed to shut the door. I already explained about not being told to stand up for myself and get away from men who were negative and emotionally abusive.

I heard my mom and grandmom tell me "Oh men have fragile egos, you have to flatter them" blah de blah.

"Don't let them know you're smart" blah de blah. Well, I wasn't going to hide my intelligence just to please a man. It was pretty obvious by the way I talk that I'm not living in the world of bad fiction bodice-rippers, makeup trends, clothing trends, and living vicariously through soap operas and being a drama queen.

[Hekate]

50. Okay, I can't breathe now, but my profound thanks anyway. God, the lessons from my childhood--

No boundaries, no personal boundaries, no voice

[niyad]

53. k and r--no tears, just boiling anger at a culture, a world, where people (especially women) are

so completely devalued, hated, that this heinous, horrible crime continues and continues, and we have to keep explaining what the hell it is. are the ones who claim that they don't "get it" clueless cretins, or complicit? or worse?