Making Waves

Examining the Impact of Rape Culture on Sexual Violence: How Societal Attitudes Perpetuate Harm

Rape culture exists in a society or environment in which common social beliefs, attitudes, and morals normalize, minimize, or excuse sexual violence. It presents itself through language, media, laws, and the behaviors of society that trivialize sexual assault, blame victims, and protect or ignore perpetrators rather than holding them accountable. It is not a single idea or action, but is instead spread and presented in a variety of ways.