Clothes expressive, not reason for rape

As an apparel and textile design student, I am disgusted with the correlation drawn between dress and violence against women in "Clothes contribute to reasons to rape" (SN 10/27).

I found this to be disturbing that the focus, once again, is being drawn away from the actual problem of sexual violence against women, which lies in the mindset of the rapist himself and his views on women often formed during childhood and adolescence from a variety of influences such as upbringing, experiences and the media.

Clothing is one of the most fundamental forms of self-expression and I think people should be able to dress the way they feel comfortable. I, myself, usually dress pretty conservatively as far as how much skin I bare, but I still do not condemn those who choose to show more.

Thoughts like those written in that letter are what perpetuate and shift the blame off of the rapist and onto the victim. Being sexually aroused by someone is not reason enough for committing rape. Rape is about the thrill of domination, power and force brought on by troubled psychological views toward women.

Granted, the majority of rape cases on college campuses are between people who know each other, but these themes are still present, even when "lust and passionate desires" are involved.

Women are passionate and sexual beings, just as equally as men are, but that does not, however, mean they are sex objects. There is a mind attached to that body.

By saying women should dress "properly" implies that women who do not dress in this prescribed "proper" fashion can be viewed in a "lustful way," just as the writer admitted. But as he also pointed out, it doesn't matter what you wear, ladies, guys will still stare at your breasts, basically contradicting his entire argument.

I respect women who care about the way they dress, which to me means dressing in a way to express yourself, regardless of judgments of others. Since the author thinks men are more "aggressive" than women, apparently he has never met me or any of my friends for that matter, but I imagine he will now be facing many aggressive women after writing a letter like that.

Jenny Lerczak

apparel and textile design and retailing junior

Published on Monday, October 31, 2005