Rape. It is an ugly word that stirs a kaleidoscope of emotional responsiveness in all people.

First come the scripture peppered kind words with promises of prayers, then the horror and deep sadness expressed, soon followed by the distancing, doubt, victim blaming, and quiet threat laced notes. 

Rape. Victim. 

If you are one of them, you had better toughen up and get some thick skin. What?!

Not only has the victim just experienced one of the greatest traumas but they need to prepare themselves for the upcoming putrid truth about to smack them in the face. No one wants to talk about rape - so they stuff their feelings. No one wants to shed light on the victim shaming  - so they keep silent. No one wants to be any part of the perpetrators story - so they loudly blame the victim and passively threaten. 

I am not one to stuff my feelings, keep silent, nor take threats lightly.  

Rape. It is an ugly word that stirs a kaleidoscope of emotional responsiveness in all people.  

In all parts of the world this is a common crime, some more than others but in no place is it unseen. I find it mind boggling that no matter the cultural difference the same blame and shame exists. Things (just a few) commonly said are:

Is she/he telling the truth? She/he might be lying.

    Doubting the victim re-victimizes!

She/he is ruining the rapists life and future.

    Really?! I'm pretty sure that the rapist already did a good job of that              themselves.

She/he didn't say no. 

   What if that victim was a child, terrified and frozen, threatened? 

Ignorance and tolerance is despicable. No justifiable excuse can be given to rapists and their supporters/apologists.