Let's Say NO to Rape and Disrespect

I know I usually write short stories here and some experience or two, but the whole RAPE situation still shocks me as something common, hell, something I've even had nightmares about. It's so common and it's so irrational for it to be so. I just can't sit and not say anything about the matter 'cause it does matter.

Teaching about respect is ESSENTIAL. Rape is a reality, it is something that's happening every day to both men and women, young or old, but mainly to women.

Luckily, I am not a victim of rape, but instead, one of verbal harassment. I've been catcalled, been whispered nasty things into my ear by, mainly, men around their 40s-50s, and it does NOT feel good. It's disgusting and ruins my day. When I dress nice, when I dress up it's for myself, not to impress, and if I do impress, hey, smile if you like, but that does NOT give anyone the right to treat me like an object, like something on display. On my way to the opera the other day, looking fancy, a man that walked past me, made a nasty sound and whispered in a matter of seconds into my ear how "tasty" I looked. Immediately, I responded with verbal disapproval but he just walked away like nothing. The young man next to me just looked over and walked away, too. Didn't say a thing.

As women, we need to be able to stand up for ourselves, defend ourselves, but as men it is also important to know that you do NOT have a right to sex because you bought someone dinner or took them out on a nice date, you do NOT have a right to cat call or to talk in an inappropriate manner to a woman just cause she dressed up for a party or other special occasion, it's not about YOU. And men, our brothers, fathers, cousins, uncles, teachers, STAND UP for a woman who's being attacked or talked to inappropriately. Just as I said before, on my way to the opera, just looking nice, not even 'showing skin' (as some men find it 'justifiable' to treat someone showing 'some skin' with little respect) I was whispered disgustingly into my hear and I stood up for myself, but the young man that walked next to me said NOTHING and just walked away.

Let's support each other, let's respect each other and defend each other. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT WOMEN STANDING UP FOR THEMSELVES, IT'S ABOUT US BOTH RESPECTING EACH OTHER AND PROTECTING EACH OTHER.

#Nomorerape #Letsstandtogetheragainstrape #Freedom #Respect