A Creation of Fear Hysteria

Currently working on a research project in my qualitative methods class on how media covers rape and whether it is highly sensationalized with disregard to crime statistics, I came across this video. And I had to share it because this type of reporting is why women are taught to fear the man lurking behind the bushes or at the end of the dark alley.

According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, 77% of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows. Women are four times more likely to be raped by an acquaintance than a stranger. FOUR TIMES!

And yet there are videos like the one below that, even though their rally for support of women's issues is well intentioned, do more harm than good. It encourages women to be fearful of the unknown. Bottom line- don't go out for a jog alone or you might get raped and murdered by that sexual predator lurking in the bushes.

Don't believe me? Watch it for yourself.



Yes, stranger rape does occur, but shouldn't these reports encourage strength and not fear. It should teach the signs leading to acquaintance rape because, realistically, that is way more prevalent and a much larger threat to women.