Defining Rape Culture: Gender, Race and the Move Toward International Social Change

Rape culture is the normalization and acceptance of sexual violence, particularly towards women, in society. This topic requires more theorization to move beyond specific contexts and into a broader cultural awareness. Defining Rape Culture provides clear and historical definitions of rape culture, examining its origins in colonization and white supremacy and its persistence in different cultures. It also highlights the role of social media in exposing the shared trauma of rape culture and the need for social change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 02 October 2023
Publisher: Emerald Publishing Limited

Rape culture, a pervasive societal phenomenon, refers to the normalization and cultural acceptance of sexual violence, particularly towards women. This issue warrants scholarly discussions that transcend narrow contexts and foster a broader cultural consciousness.
"Defining Rape Culture" offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to understanding rape culture. It provides clear and historically grounded definitions of rape culture, encompassing its manifestations across different cultures and time periods. By examining the culture surrounding sexual violence through an intersectional feminist lens, author Rebecca M. Hayes delves into the historical roots of sexual violence, highlighting its connections to colonization and white supremacy. The book also sheds light on the persistent nature of rape culture across diverse societies, challenging the notion that it is solely a Western phenomenon.
Furthermore, "Defining Rape Culture" explores the legal and institutional indifference that perpetuates sexual misconduct, highlighting the need for systemic change. It sheds light on the role of social media in exposing the shared trauma experienced by victims of rape culture and catalyzing collective action. The book serves as a valuable primer on the ongoing challenges faced by survivors and advocates, shedding light on the historical roots of rape culture and offering insights into the role we can play in dismantling it.
Through the lens of #notallmen and #MeToo, "Defining Rape Culture" demonstrates how outdated attitudes and beliefs continue to persist in society. It provides a roadmap for individuals and communities to challenge these attitudes and work towards creating lasting social change. By fostering empathy, education, and awareness, we can break the cycle of rape culture and build a safer and more equitable world for all.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802622140