Emma

TRIGGER WARNING: This content deals with an account of sexual assault and may be triggering to some people.

I have been quiet about this for far too long. At school, at home, out with friends, and even from my own family members, the issue of rape is treated lighter than I wish. A few times at school I’ve spoken up; however, people tend to roll their eyes and tell me to stop being such a “feminist.” Well today is the day I’m going to spill a few things.

Today I saw a headline about two teenage girls in India who were gang raped and hung in the middle of the night. They were 14 and 16. I’m 15 years old so this really hits me hard. The fact that a lot of people will scroll right past that story breaks my heart because it shows that people are getting used to this kind of headline.

At school, I hear rape jokes all the time. “Dude you raped that guy!” or “Rape! Rape! They’re touching me! Ha ha!” are some I hear almost every day. Is the boy who just shot a layup forcing you to have sex with him? If not, then it’s not rape. It’s a basketball game. Is the kid that poked you to get your attention forcing you to have sex with them? No? Then it’s not rape. And the thing is, teachers don’t get onto people about this. One of my teachers ...