What is rape culture?
The term “rape culture” is often used to describe the way aspects of a society can contribute to the normalization and endorsement of sexual violence. Typically, those elements include the objectification of women’s bodies and the trivialization of coercion and sexual violation. While these elements are most powerfully disseminated through the media, the average citizen is a very able transmitter of rape culture, too. That said, the term “rape culture” can be less than helpful. The term can often prompt defensiveness, especially if audiences feel they’re being judged and implicated by every song, movie, or T.V. show they’ve enjoyed throughout their lives. It is critical, however, that we find a way of describing the ways in which our culture endorses and provides cover for sexual coercion and violence in a way in which people can hear it.
The Program
This presentation utilizes the ongoing debate over whether or not rape jokes are appropriate to explore the foundations of rape culture in a meaningful and accessible way. The Canary in the Coal Mine will highlight what factors support sexual violence within popular and military cultures, drawing on research from the fields of moral development education, bystander intervention, and sexual violence prevention education.
Research and Real Change
Created and presented by Gail Stern, Ph.D., The Canary in the Coal Mine includes research data from both the civilian and military environments and will address what steps—from little to big—will be necessary to meaningfully address the impact of rape culture on our communities.
The Takeaway
This customizable program is designed to:
1
Teach participants the ways in which rape jokes and other media can foster a hostile environment
2
Examine the connections between a hostile environment and the increased risk of sexual violence
3
Identify what aspects of culture and media support sexual coercion and violence
4
Help participants develop the skills to challenge rape jokes and other media in order to foster an environment that helps disable the potential predator’s support system
Pairs Well with these Programs
Sex Signals – Military
Sex Signals has become one of the most popular and respected sexual assault awareness programs on military installations through its unorthodox, humor-facilitated approach to examining sex, culture, and the core issue of bystander intervention.
Got Your Back
This research based program is designed to dismantle the false belief that rape is really just a bad hook-up, as well as differentiate between healthy intimacy and sexual violence.
