It’s still rape when the rapist is famous, or well-liked. “A family guy.” That kind of bullshit.
It’s still rape when the rapist is a friend, date, hook-up, boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife. Rapists are people — and usually not strangers.
It’s still rape when it happens in the LGBT community.
It’s still rape when the victim is underage. No matter what she was wearing. No matter what he said in class. They could be “asking for it,” doesn’t matter — when the person is underage, it’s rape.
It’s still rape when the media calls victims, “accusers,” and rapes, “sex.”
It’s still rape when you’re fucked up on alcohol or drugs. When you said yes before you said no. When you’re a person who likes sex, yes, just not rape.
It’s still rape when Whoopi Goldberg is friends with the rapist. When the military protects its chain of command. When the Vatican says it shouldn’t be held responsible.
It’s still rape when politicians are too busy trying to control abortion to listen to victims and give them the dignity and support they deserve.
It’s still rape when the victim has chosen to identify as a survivor (heck yeah!).
We need a new conversation on rape, immediately. We need to insist upon it. We need to make corrections the moment they are due. Otherwise, we are all part of the problem.
Erin Matson 
Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
As a writer yourself, you should know that the reason they do not use the language ‘rape’ is becuase that is a legal term determined by the courts, which until they have convicted the defendant, anything published about the allegation must infact legally state the word ‘alledged’ before any legal terms. This article is very sophomoric in ignoring that obvious legal fact.
You as a writer are not above the courts, nor the law (which you clearly are oblivious of) Next time you try to further your career on the misery and misfortune of child victims by injecting your political view points, at least understand what you are reading, just out or respect for the victims.
He admitted to the crimes in this case. So it’s not “alledged” anymore.
Thank you! (y)
Reblogged this on Central Oregon Coast NOW.
Reblogged this on Trebecca and commented:
“We need a new conversation on rape, immediately. We need to insist upon it. We need to make corrections the moment they are due. Otherwise, we are all part of the problem.”
A timely and well-written post by fellow WordPress blogger Erin Matson. Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
Excellent article: concise, comprehensive & True.
This highlights the impacts – overt, subtle & unconscious – that choice of words & use of language has on ppl’s thinking & attitudes.
SO many ways of saying things need examined, exposed for the biased euphemisms they are, and CHANGED.
#Matt:
Ms Matson’s article concerns language usage about rape in general: as she is not referring to a specific case, her wording is perfectly legitimate.
If you hear or read about any specific case on this subject on any mainstream media, you can be sure that IF the word “rape” is used at all, it is almost invariably preceded by “alleged”; a practice not so assiduously applied to other crimes.
Your comment is very slanted against Ms Matson’s points, but with no backup of any substance.
1. She does not ignore the legality of the word alleged, it is not mentioned because it is not being debated.
2. You lower your language to be quite personally insulting (e.g, “this article is very sophomoric”; “you as a writer are not above the courts, nor the law (which you clearly are oblivious of)”.
3. Your witterings are full of “straw man” fallacies, e.g, “next time you try to further your career on the misery and misfortune of child victims”: emotive & disingenuous; “by injecting your political view points” – Really? What political viewpoints do you mean?; “understand what you are reading”: she clearly has an excellent understanding of the situation, unlike yourself; & “just out or respect for the victims.”! Please do demonstrate exactly where & how she shows any lack of respect for victims!!
Further, as you attacked Ms Matson on her writing, & as a writer, I assume you will be happy to examine your own writing, which is atrocious!
Have you no grasp of grammar, spelling, punctuation, NOT ending a clause with a preposition, etc?
Regards.
Thank you Aileen, now I have no need to rip into Matt for his failures. Perfectly stated.
We do indeed need a new conversation about Rape, we need it soon. Our failure to talk about Rape is a failure for generations past, present and future.
Language is so important when talking about this issue. It’s so important to define the act by what it is and not belittle the experience of any victim by downplaying the acts by using “nicer” words to describe it.
Rape is rape. There’s no way to disguise that fact.
Great piece, really liked it.