Over the past several weeks there has been considerable debate over a new possible nail polish trend, and no, it’s not how to transition from summer shades to fall and winter hues. Four male students from North Carolina State University have created a nail polish that is meant to detect certain common date rape drugs found in drinks by changing color. This potential product has received feedback that contests its possible success, the consequences it yields, and its reliability. As a student who is not scientifically inclined I am not here to argue the reliability or chemical capabilities of this product. As a college woman who has heard from victims of sexual assault, seen the effects of fear and worry in my peers, and been in social settings that are similar to those described in many cases of assault, I am here to give my opinion on what I believe this kind of “accessory” can and cannot do. While many articles have made their disapproval clear, I want to offer another way of thinking about this product.
To start, I want to say that a victim of sexual abuse is never to blame. Your location, appearance, or behavior does not excuse any form of abuse or assault. You are not at fault. A color-changing nail polish will not solve the much larger issues that arise in a culture of sexual assault. That does not, however, mean that this product should be immediately discarded and discredited.
Much of the backlash against this nail polish stems from its labeling as a preventative method for date rape. This puts the responsibility on the victim to prevent an attack rather than acknowledging the fault as the perpetrator’s. Advertising assault prevention reflects the reality that our society uses victim-blaming as a way to combat sexual assault, but fighting nail polish isn’t going to solve this bigger issue. Of course there’s no simple way to stop abuse, but just because this one product isn’t the end all, cure all, does not mean that it can’t have some kind of positive effect.
The issue here is in the advertising of the nail polish. Undercover Colors, the brand name of this new invention, has described themselves as, “The first fashion company empowering women to prevent sexual assault…” on their Facebook page. They add, “With our nail polish, any woman will be empowered to discreetly ensure her safety by simply stirring her drink with her finger.” Again, they are advertising prevention and implying the fault of a victim in the case that they do not use these recommended methods of prevention. Nor does the nail polish ensure safety because sexual assault is not only facilitated through the use of date rape drugs. The company’s intention to bring more awareness to sexual assault on college campuses is clear, but there is a much more effective role that this product could have filled if it was not marketed as the sole answer to a much larger issue. The founders need to reevaluate the messages they are sending if they want to help reduce sexual assault.
The truth is that there is real fear and worry in the minds of college women, and with statistics that show “1 in 4 college women will be the victim of sexual assault during her academic career,”[1] that fear isn’t easy to alleviate, regardless of the fact that we should be teaching people not to commit sexual assault instead of how to prevent it. I know that I am not at fault if I am assaulted, but that doesn’t mean I’m okay with thinking that I’m powerless. I see collegiates go out with whistles on their key chains and pepper spray in their bags every weekend. They are not preventing assault; they are choosing to carry something with them that provides a sense of power and confidence. Having the ability to test for drugs in a drink may provide someone with a sense of security, even if that protection is very limited, and not checking every glass I drink out of does not excuse an attack by any means. If this drug detecting nail polish proved effective and accurate however, I would still want the right to decide whether or not I want to use it.
[1] One in Four USA. Sexual Assault Statistics. http://www.oneinfourusa.org/statistics.php