Politicians and Rape

*******TRIGGER ALERTS******

There has been a great awakening within the last 10 months by women that it is time to take back our power and ensure that we protect all the things we have worked and fought so hard for over the last 80-100 years.

The greatest awakening has been to the normalization of our rape culture in this country.  It has been amazing to watch women (and some men) stand up and be counted to how prevalent rape, sexual abuse/harassment, and domestic violence is in our culture.  This week we saw voices rise up and ending the silence.

But, unfortunately, the thoughts and beliefs still held by the men in power, our politicians, about rape, colors rape culture.  These are the men that have been elected to run our country and protect its citizens – us – women.  These are the men that enable those men like Weinstein and other sexual predators by their words and the laws that they pass.

Examples are:

“Some girls rape easy.” – Rep. Roger Rivard (R-Wi)

“Rape is kinda like the weather. If it’s inevitable, relax and enjoy it.” – Clayton Williams (R-former Texas gubernatorial candidate)

“From what I understand…If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.” – Todd Akin (R-Mo)

“You know, back in my days, they used Bayer aspirin for contraception. The gals put it between their knees, and it wasn’t that costly.” – Foster Friess (R-mega-donor behind Rick Santorum Super PAC)

“If a woman has (the right to an abortion), why shouldn’t a man be free to use his superior strength to force himself on a woman? At least the rapist’s pursuit of sexual freedom doesn’t (in most cases) result in anyone’s death.” – Lawrence Lockman (R-Me)

“In the emergency room they have what’s called rape kits, where a woman can get cleaned out.” – Jodie Laubenberg (R-Tx)

“It is similar, from the father’s position.” – Tom Smith (R, failed candidate for a seat in PA, discussing how rape and premarital sex are the same thing)

“I would hope that when a woman goes into a physician, with a rape issue, that that physician will indeed ask her about perhaps her marriage, was this pregnancy caused by normal relations in a marriage, or was it truly caused by a rape.” – Chuck Winder (R-Id)

“What did they expect?” – Liz Trotta (FOX pundit and horrible person, referring to women who are raped in the military)

“Rape victims should make the best of a bad situation.” – Rick Santorum (R – Senator from PA)

“And when you’re a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab ’em by the pussy.” – Donald Trump (R-Reality TV star and now President of the United States)

We need to continue to hold these men (and there are several female legislatures also) accountable and ensure that all of women’s rights are being protected.  We need to end the silence and stigma of rape and continue fighting back until we are ALL SAFE!

For more information on our programs, please feel free to check out our Seminar & Training Sessions.

**Angie M. Tarighi is the CEO/Founder & Personal Safety Expert of Women’s Self-Defense Institute providing self defense training, education awareness & personal protection products empowering women to fight back against crime.

Angie M. Tarighi has been teaching women’s self-defense for over 20+ years. She holds two black belts in Kempo & Combat Hapkido; is a certified Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) Instructor; is a certified International Police Defensive Tactics Instructor; is a certified Workplace Violence Prevention Specialist; is a certified Kid-Safe Network Agent; is a certified Women-Safe Network Agent; is a Professional Speaker; and a Reiki Master.