Without a person’s consent, one is violating the rights of the victim and deserves to be punished. Rape is the unlawful sexual intercourse or any other sexual penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth of another person, with or without force, by a sex organ, other body part, or foreign object, without the consent of the victim. Being sexually assaulted changes a person's life forever. Rape can happen to anyone and occurs every 107 seconds. Most sexual assaults are not reported, due to rape culture and victim blaming. Rapists use excuses such as "he or she was asking for it", "I know you wanted it", or blame it on the victim's clothing. Sexual assault can occur in public, and many bystanders question at what point is it appropriate to tell the predator to knock it off. Bystander intervention is important and is a strategy that introduces people to voice their concerns. Rape is frequent within college campuses and occurs the most during Red Flag. During these fifteen weeks, one out of five students will experience rape or sexual assault. This needs to stop.
         

A rape victim's life is forever changed. When one survives sexual assault, their emotional state is challenged. 30% of victims encounter depression and 31% develop post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They're more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. Sexual assault victims are now four times more likely to contemplate suicide. The victim may be led to experience the feeling of worthlessness, possibly leading them to hurt themselves. A survivor named Milika(45 years old), was sexually abused as a teenager by a male relative. She avoided intimacy for over two decades. Milika suffers from panic attacks and anxiety when physical intimacy is introduced. Her sexual assault prevents her from having a normal relationship.
         

Survivors who experience sexual assault or rape, more than likely won't report the incident(s). Rape culture and victim blaming has influenced the victims to keep quiet. Rape culture promotes cultural practices that excuse or tolerate sexual violence. Rape is ignored, trivialized, normalized, and made into jokes. This is rape culture and it is not okay. It can be found in everyday life, such as in a song on the radio. Telling women "you know you want it" because of "blurred lines"(of consent) is rape culture. People who make rape jokes promote this unwanted culture. When women are taught "don't get raped", instead of teaching men not to rape. Programs are created to teach people how to avoid rape when it should be teaching people not to rape. Rape culture must be eradicated. When a victim is blamed for their sexual assault, this is victim blaming. An accusation of the victim wearing too little clothing, prevents the assault from being reported. The victim begins to question if it was their fault or are afraid people will accuse them of lying. The rapist may talk down to their victim, which creates fear. One rapist justified his actions by telling his victim, "It wasn't rape. You were being a tease."
        

When a bystander witnesses unwanted inappropriate behavior towards a person, they question if they should step in and at which point the predator has taken it too far. The fear of embarrassment or misjudging the situation can prevent the bystander from intervening. Across college campuses, 80% of males are uncomfortable when witnessing a women being mistreated. Programs like the bystander intervention teach men and women the steps to take in order to prevent sexual assault. A bystander needs to step in when the victim is under the influence. If the victim is unable to make a decision or is unaware of what's going on, a bystander is needed. Speaking up can prevent sexual assault.
       

It's completely wrong when a person forces themselves onto another. Sexual assault occurs frequently and is defended by rape culture. Victim blaming prevents rapists from being persecuted and disciplined. Bystanders can help prevent sexual assault and protect our loved ones. When someone is raped, their world is turned upside down. Unlawful sexual intercourse needs to be stopped.