Is South African Culture a rape culture?

Date Released: Fri, 21 September 2012 10:06 +0200

How does South African culture support and spread rape myths and victim-blaming, and what can we do to stop the spread and damage of rape
culture?

Rape culture is a culture that fails to acknowledge the sanctity of the body, the significance of violating its boundaries; a culture in which rape and sexual violence are common and in which prevalent attitudes, norms, practices and media normalise, excuse, tolerate or even condone sexual
violence. Is South African culture a rape culture? 

Join the Gender Action Project for Scarlet Letter Week as we explore rape culture in a South African and university context. 

Rape Culture Road Map: Tuesday through to Friday (25 to 28 September), Library Quad

Trace rape culture and what you can do to stop it with our Rape Culture Road Map.

"Wear the pants?" Men's only discussion about the choice to support/deconstruct rape culture: Tuesday 25 September @ 7pm, Arts Major

Rape is not a woman's problem. Rape is not a man's problem. Rape is everyone's problem. How are you making it your problem? Do you or your friends tell disempowering rape jokes? Do you objectify women, and refer to them as girls, chicks, mingers and belters? If you do, you are part of the problem. And the problem is rape and rape culture.

Do you wear the pants in your social circle? Let's find out. Join us for a discussion about men and sexual violence.

"Is South Africa culture a rape culture?" Debate and discussion: Thursday 27 September @ 7.30pm, Eden Grove seminar rooms

We will be hosting a debate on this topic, followed by rigorous discussion with attendees. Refreshments will be served. 

Join the Gender Action Project for a dialogue about what rape culture is, and what we can do to stop it. 

For any further enquiries, please contact:

Michelle Solomon, GAP chair: michellehsolomon@gmail.com;

Lauren O'Brien, GAP vice-chair: lauren.leigh.obrien@gmail.com