Sex and Violence

Rhode’s writing on Sex and Violence is my favorite of all the readings we’ve done this year. She offers a thorough explanation of the types of violence that occur, who the victims and perpetrators are, why it happens, theories and solutions to the problem; all done while speaking in a somewhat sarcastic, sharp manner and calling out ignorant critics, judges, and general public who refuse to admit there is a problem.

She draws attention to the fact that recognition of sexual abuse is a recent advancement in our nation’s history. However, denial of the extent of the problem still isn’t fixed. Many people believe rape, harassment, and pornography are about sex, when in reality they are about subordination. “We fail to see sexual abuse as a strategy of dominance, exclusion, control, and retaliation—as a way to keep women in their place and out of men’s” (595). Many people deny the problem exists, that the victims are seriously injured physically and emotionally, that men are responsible despite the tendency to blame the victim, and that legislation is the solution. (595).
Rhodes criticizes people who believe the courts are flooded with frivolous harassment accusations; that men have become victims of overreactions and hypersensitivity. Sexual abuse complaints are HIGHLY underreported, and often it is easier for a woman to ignore the problem or deal with it internally than to complain. Complaining often makes things worse because, “the minimal remedies usually available may not compensate for the risks of retaliation, such as transfers, demotion, informal blacklisting, physical threats, and vandalism” (599). Women often face a no-win situation. Rhodes’ solutions for this include clear workplace policies, educational programs, sufficient legal representation, and unbiased complaint outlets. (600)
Outside of the workplace, domestic violence is sickeningly prevalent and the leading cause of female injuries, leading to four million victims a year. (600) Denial of it’s pervasiveness is due to two things: the men who batter and the system that allows it. These “family matters” are frequently discounted as “an unfortunate incident” and acceptable within a marriage. Women are often blamed for not leaving violent situations, when in reality it may be impossible to find a safe refuge when they are dependent on their batters for economic, social and emotional support. Rhodes stresses the need for stricter punishments and more funding for programs to help victims with few resources.
The United States has the highest reported cases of rape in the Western world. Yet the reasons for why rape occurs generally blame women. Individuals and institutions deny the problem and are deeply convinced of stereotypes about rape, including that they are done by sexually deviant strangers with weapons, that attractive men don’t rape because they don’t have to, and that “’nice girls’” aren’t assaulted; ‘loose’ and ‘careless’ women are” (605). However, rapists indicate they are attracted to power and domination, or they desire to punish women for one reason or another. Within the judicial system, there is a belief that sexual assault without other physical injuries isn’t really harmful, its just bad sex. The woman’s emotional trauma is discounted, even though it may cause her deep turmoil as she questions her choices, judgment and sense of trust.
The heart of the problem is social inequality. “As long as [women’s] status and economic security depend so much on relationships with men, the conditions for sexual abuse will persist” (610). Egalitarian sexual experiences must be created in order to end female objectification and victimization. The denial must end and steps need to be taken to stop the abuse.