VIDEO ESSAY: Weaponized Silence – How Rape Culture Fuels the War on Women’s Rights
It’s time to end this cycle of injustice.
Watch: The Weaponization of Rape Culture
In a world where survivors of sexual violence should be met with compassion and justice, many instead find themselves re-victimized by the systems meant to protect them.
Rape culture—a term that describes a society in which rape and sexual violence are normalized or excused—has long plagued our justice systems, media, and societal structures.
But this goes beyond being a societal issue. Rape culture is now actively weaponized to silence survivors, reinforcing a broader assault on women’s rights. This disturbing trend has only worsened in recent years.
Across the globe, women speaking out against their abusers are met not only with stigma and shame but also with legal hurdles and media narratives that protect perpetrators over survivors.
The following real-world examples demonstrate how rape culture continues to be weaponized and why dismantling it is essential to advancing justice for women.
Recent Cases of Rape Survivors Being Silenced
The way survivors are silenced is evident in several high-profile cases, showcasing the intersection of trauma, justice, and political agendas.
The Rape of a 10-Year-Old and the Attack on Her Abortion Rights
In a deeply troubling case that drew national attention, Gerson Fuentes, 28, was sentenced to life in prison in 2024 after pleading guilty to raping a nine-year-old girl in Ohio.
This horrific crime made headlines not only because of its brutality but also due to the legal and political firestorm that followed.
After becoming pregnant as a result of the rape, the 10-year-old survivor was forced to travel to Indiana to obtain an abortion because Ohio’s restrictive laws denied her access to care in her home state.
When the doctor who performed the abortion spoke to a journalist, the case sparked fierce debates over reproductive rights in the wake of Roe v. Wade’s overturn.
However, instead of focusing on the survivor’s trauma and well-being, the discourse largely revolved around the legality of her abortion.
This case highlights how rape culture is used to silence survivors. Rather than centering on justice and the survivor’s needs, the conversation became a political battleground, reducing her voice and turning her trauma into a symbol for a larger war on women’s reproductive rights.
Chanel Miller and the Fight to Reclaim Her Voice
Chanel Miller, initially known only as Emily Doe in the infamous Brock Turner case, spent years reclaiming her identity after being silenced by the media and the justice system.
In 2016, her assailant, a Stanford University student, was convicted of sexual assault but received a shockingly lenient six-month jail sentence.
The judge’s decision prioritized Turner’s future over Miller’s trauma, perpetuating the belief that men’s reputations are more valuable than women’s dignity.
Miller’s journey to reclaim her voice culminated in her memoir, Know My Name, which became a powerful account of the silencing survivors endure.
While her advocacy has inspired many, her case remains a stark reminder of how the justice system continues to protect perpetrators at the expense of survivors.
The Silencing of Survivors at Michigan State University
The case of Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University (MSU) doctor, serves as a harrowing example of institutional complicity in silencing survivors.
For decades, Nassar abused hundreds of young female athletes under the guise of medical treatment. Despite numerous complaints, MSU and USA Gymnastics failed to take action, allowing Nassar to continue his abuse unchecked.
Prominent athletes like Simone Biles and Aly Raisman revealed how they were dismissed and ignored by the institutions that should have protected them. MSU and USA Gymnastics prioritized their reputations over the safety of their athletes, perpetuating a cycle of silence and complicity.
This case underscores how powerful organizations suppress survivors’ voices to protect their own interests, further discouraging others from speaking out.
Barriers to Justice for Survivors
For many survivors, the journey to justice is fraught with obstacles. In some states, rape kits remain untested for years, delaying accountability.
Even when cases proceed, survivors are subjected to invasive questioning that places their sexual history on trial instead of focusing on the perpetrators’ crimes.
This dynamic creates a system that prioritizes the accused’s comfort over the survivor’s dignity.
In Chanel Miller’s case, the judge’s decision to grant Brock Turner a six-month sentence epitomized this bias, as Turner’s actions were downplayed while Miller’s trauma was largely ignored.
Media’s Role in Silencing Survivors
The media also plays a pivotal role in shaping how sexual violence is perceived, often exacerbating the silencing of survivors through its coverage.
Victim-Blaming and Sensationalism in Media Coverage
News outlets frequently frame sexual violence as “he-said, she-said” disputes, casting doubt on survivor accounts.
For example, in the Brock Turner case, media coverage focused on Turner’s athletic achievements and potential rather than the gravity of his crime or its impact on Miller.
Similarly, the media’s coverage of Andrew Tate, a social media influencer accused of sexual assault and human trafficking, often highlights his wealth and controversial persona, sidelining the voices of his alleged victims.
This narrative shift trivializes the severity of sexual violence and discourages survivors from speaking out.
The Cultural Consequences of Silencing Survivors
The widespread silencing of survivors sends a clear message: their experiences are not valued.
The Broader Impact on Survivors and Society
This silencing discourages survivors from reporting sexual violence, perpetuating cycles of abuse. Studies show that the majority of sexual assaults go unreported due to fear of disbelief, stigma, or retaliation.
As long as rape culture is weaponized against women, these harmful cycles will persist, eroding trust in institutions and enabling perpetrators to continue their abuse.
Steps Toward Justice – Breaking the Cycle
To dismantle rape culture and stop the silencing of survivors, systemic action is crucial.
Reforming the Legal System
Advocating for trauma-informed laws and ensuring timely processing of rape kits are essential steps toward prioritizing survivors’ well-being.
Courts must adopt procedures that treat survivors with dignity and focus on holding perpetrators accountable.
Holding Media Accountable
Media outlets must take responsibility for how they report on sexual violence, centering survivor stories and avoiding sensationalism or victim-blaming narratives.
Fostering Safe Spaces for Survivors
Communities need to create safe, supportive environments where survivors feel empowered to share their experiences without fear of retribution.
Ending the weaponization of rape culture is a critical step in the broader fight for women’s rights.
By amplifying survivors’ voices and fighting for systemic change, we can dismantle the structures perpetuating this harm and ensure justice for all.
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samuel
Maybe change the title to how rape culture still fuels….
Rape culture is about power, anger and control. It dehumanizes the rape victim and creates fear of recriminations. The idea that a prostitute cannot be raped led to a non virgin cannot be raped. “If she had sex once, she’ll do it again”. Ancient laws from the Bible and before say a married woman was property and if married and raped by someone (other than her husband) she could be sold into slavery by him. If single, she had to marry her rapist or her dad could sell her into slavery at a discount price.
Susan Brownmiller’s book “Against Our Will” was one of the first comprehensive looks at rape culture.