Rape is a personal problem that cries out for a political solution. The solution to our cultural problems of sexual violence lies not only in the treatment of individual victims and offenders, but also in changing our culture. Young men need to be socialized in such a way that rape is as unthinkable to them as cannibalism. Sex is currently associated with violence, power, domination and status. The incidence of rape is increasing because our culture's destructive messages about sexuality are increasing.

Rape hurts us all, not just the victims. Rape keeps all women in a state of fear about all men. We must constantly be vigilant.

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Men are fearful for their women friends and family and aware that women are afraid of them. A male student complained that he hated rape. He said, "When I walk across campus after dark, I can see women tense up. I want to reassure them that I'm not a rapist." Another said, "I haven't dated a girl yet who trusts men. Every girl I've cared about has been hurt by some guy. They are afraid to get close. It's so much work to prove I'm not a jerk."

But mostly rape damages young women. They become post traumatic stress victims. They experience all the symptoms-- depression, anger, fear, recurrent dreams and flashbacks. The initial reaction is usually shock, denial and dissociation. Later comes anger and self blame for not fighting back. Younger women who are raped are more fearful. Their invisible shield of invulnerability has been shattered. Forty one percent of rape victims expect to be raped again; 30 percent contemplate suicide; 31 percent go into therapy; 22 percent take self defense courses and 82 percent say that they ARE