During a school presentation on the presence of alcohol and sexual assault on campus, students at Ramapo College in New Jersey were given some ill-advised advice. The female students were told that they needed to practice their facial expressions in a mirror in order to prevent sexual assault from occurring to them.
The entire presentation focused mostly on what females could do to prevent males from assaulting them, from details ranging from body language to the appropriate anti-rape attire. In response to the overwhelming criticism of the presentation, Ramapo College tweeted, saying, “Ramapo College’s approach to sexual assault prevention is and has always been to not blame the victim.”
The idea in today’s society that a woman needs to control her mannerisms to prevent sexual assault that a male initiates is a tremendous problem that is still prevalent in universities across the country. This assumption is exactly what forces female victims of sexual assault to remain silenced, in fear of being condemned for something that is simply never their fault. The fact that the “anti-rape face” message is coming from members of Ramapo’s administration only shows that it is up to our generation to make a difference, through technology and social media outlets.
In response to the news, students at American University have started a trend on Facebook. These revolutionary females are bringing attention to the real issue by simply posting a picture of their face (expressionless), meaning that no facial expression is reason enough for a female to be sexually assaulted.
The caption above the photos read: “Ramapo College has instructed its female students to practice their ‘anti-rape’ faces to prevent sexual assault. This is mine. Here’s the thing about my anti-rape face… it’s just my face. Because women shouldn’t need to put on a face to prevent sexual assault. Go ahead and post your own anti-rape face and share it on Facebook!”
In a way, the negative publicity associated with Ramapo’s “anti-rape” campaign has brought positive attention to the real problems in today’s rape culture. Students from all over the country are fighting the idea that rape is the victim’s fault, and, by spreading the message on social media outlets, the world is one step closer to being a place where no woman is afraid to share her story. So, ladies, spread the word; we can make a difference.
If you or anyone has been a recent victim of sexual assault, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE. Because no woman deserves to be silenced.