Concerned Citizens Against Rape

Rape is a flagrantly brutal and dehumanizing violation of a person, mostly of women. We are forced to submit sexually to someone who wants to exert control over us, and we are left stunned, humiliated and unworthy of love or respect.

And then we have to face the legal system.

Unfortunately, a rape victim is frequently treated like a criminal by the justice system, which reinforces the feelings of shame and guilt. Rape is the ONLY crime in which the victim is dehumanized, harrassed and shamed by the perpetrator, law enforcement, the courts, family, friends and society.

According to the US Department of Justice, a woman is raped every 2 minutes. Over half of those women tell no one about the assault. Approximately 70\% of all rape victims know their assailant!

There are studies which have proven that boys and girls learn at an early age certain ideas which later leave them open to situations which can lead to rape. For instance, boys learn to see sex as their birthright, and a "relationship" as the irksome activity that girls see as a prerequisite to sex. They begin to expect sexual favors in return for their participation in the "relationship". Since girls are pressured to have a boyfriend, they sometimes allow themselves to submit to these sexual favors in order to maintain their "relationship". I had seen and experienced those patterns myself and in all likelihood, so have you.

We've all heard the old adage that "history is doomed to repeat itself unless one learns from it". We the undersigned are convinced that education is the key to reducing the instances of rape in our country. Since socialization determines our gender identity and is the root of our behavior patterns, then we need to do something to change the attitudes and values which have perpetuated the pro-rape ideology.

It is my hope that this petition reaches those who have never been touched by sexual assault as well as those who have. We must bring the subject of rape and to the forefront...and let our lawmakers know that we will not be content with continuing to sweep our experiences under the carpet. I'm asking that you join in our effort to fight against the miseducation which has brought us to this point in our history.

We need Public Service Announcements to appear in the media on a DAILY basis, to educate the public about the precautions which can be taken to protect themselves from predators.

We need PSA's to educate the public on the steps which need to be followed when and if they or someone they love are assaulted.

We need to make sure that all prospective jury members are educated on the subject of PTSD and other problems which are a direct result of sexual assault.

We need legislation to prevent the convicted perpetrators from re-entering society with the ease with which they have in the past.

We need more crisis centers for rape victims and adult survivors of CSA. We also need to have adequate funding to reach areas which don't have ready access to the crisis centers currently in existence.

We need to make it easier for the victim to come forward and report...first by requiring law enforcement to receive sensitivity training, second by supplying health care providers with the proper training to conduct uniform rape kit exams.

Please sign this petition and then pass it on to someone you know. It's important to take your stand now. The future of our society depends on it.