Study: Teen girls see sexual violence as normal, unavoidable
Thinkstock


A recent study at Marquette University proves once again how prevalent slut-shaming is among middle and high schoolers. Researchers questioned young women between the ages of three and 17 about their experiences with sexual harassment and violence, and the results were truly disheartening.
According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, 60 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to the police. Many of the young women surveyed said they chose not to report harassment because they didn't want to make a "big deal" or were afraid they would be labeled "whores" or "sluts" by their peers.
Horrifyingly, many girls also said they believed that men cannot keep themselves from harassing or grabbing women, describing men as "unable to control their sexual desires." According to the report, "they perceived everyday harassment and abuse as normal male behavior, and as something to endure, ignore, or maneuver around."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Meghan DeMaria is a staff writer at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked for USA Today and Marie Claire.
-
Australian woman found guilty of mushroom murders
speed read Erin Patterson murdered three of her ex-husband's relatives by serving them toxic death cap mushrooms
-
Combs convicted on 2 of 5 charges, denied bail
Speed Read Sean 'Diddy' Combs was acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking
-
Sniper kills 2 Idaho firefighters in ambush
Speed Read A man started a wildfire, then fired a rifle at first responders when they arrived
-
Weinstein convicted of sex crime in retrial
Speed Read The New York jury delivered a mixed and partial verdict at the disgraced Hollywood producer's retrial
-
'King of the Hill' actor shot dead outside home
speed read Jonathan Joss was fatally shot by a neighbor who was 'yelling violent homophobic slurs,' says his husband
-
DOJ, Boulder police outline attacker's confession
speed read Mohamed Sabry Soliman planned the attack for a year and 'wanted them all to die'
-
Assailant burns Jewish pedestrians in Boulder
speed read Eight people from the Jewish group were hospitalized after a man threw Molotov cocktails in a 'targeted act of violence'
-
Driver rams van into crowd at Liverpool FC parade
speed read 27 people were hospitalized following the attack