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The 7 Worst Things That Politicians Have Said About Rape

Brooklyn Reece
5 min readJul 23, 2020

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Source: Newsweek (https://www.newsweek.com/gop-congressman-warns-young-americans-are-developing-bailout-mentality-says-country-must-get-1497478)

For most of my life, when I’ve talked about sexual violence, I’ve been countered by people who constantly ask, “Well, if sexual assault were such a huge problem, why don’t women report it more often?” Or, when a woman does report it, they shoot back with, “Innocent until proven guilty! There are so many false allegations out there!” But there’s a huge puzzle piece missing in their perspective, and it comes from the true ignorance surrounding sexual assault.

And I don’t just mean ignorance as it pertains to citing false data and making misogynistic claims. I mean that truly, most of them have no idea what it’s like to be sexually assaulted. They don’t understand the long, drawn-out process of reporting. They don’t understand the emotional recovery that comes with any assault.

Infuriated, I did some research, and I was able to come up with what are, in my opinion, the 7 worst responses that politicians have said about rape. They pretty much exemplify my point.

1. “Rape is kinda like the weather. If it’s inevitable, relax and enjoy it.” -Clayton Williams (R-TX)

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Are you likening sex to the weather? Jeez, I feel bad for your wife. Actually, I feel bad for anyone in your midst. This is an…

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Brooklyn Reece
Brooklyn Reece

Written by Brooklyn Reece

(she/her) Writer. Teacher. Leftist. City enthusiast. Spreading love through words. Find me on IG @brooklynxreece or email me: brooklynreece.writer@gmail.com.

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