Modern Sexual Assault Issues

Sexual assault is common in our society and exemplifies the inequalities between men and women. In many instances women are diminished to sexual objects by men, dehumanized in a way. This perception leads to various sexual assaults on women as they are seen as purely sexual beings and not a person of equal status. Sexual assault occurs in many environments and various ways.

Sexual assault consists of a variety of actions from rape, coercion, abuse and harassment which takes place in numerous settings. For instance, in the work force men are given the prominent jobs, woman rarely do and are disadvantaged because of their sex. Men working in occupations deemed female occupations are often tracked into a higher position which is more suitable for a male. Men often use their status and privilege to harass and control women in the work force. In college settings women are often sexually assaulted as the young men seek to affirm their masculinity. Prostitute's area also often assaulted sexually. In particular they are dehumanized because their occupation is to sexually pleasure men. Therefore, men certainly don't see them of equal status. Men benefit from all these instances in many ways. They are able to use their status to sexually force themselves on women. Men benefit financially as they are given high position jobs. The inequality between men and women allows men to commit sexual assaults. Since women are seen as sexual objects, men have a variety of reasons which relieves them of responsibility regarding sexual assaults. They use excuses such as, no injury or harm was caused, the victim deserved it or was asking for it. These sexual assaults also give the man a feeling of power over women which affirm their masculinity. Women suffer financially as they struggle to gain prominent jobs and also are put in situations in which they feel they have to just deal with sexual assaults. They are psychologically damaged by sexual assaults as they often refuse to come forward as a victim and often feel as if it was their fault. Since men are the ones creating and maintain inequality; hence, an effort on their part could greatly diminish and or solve this problem.

Men can greatly reduce this problem of inequality. They need to recognize women as s people and not sexual objects. They need to assume responsibility for sexual assaults they committed and discourage them among their male peers. It is within their power to provide women with opportunities of having high level positions regarding their occupation. The superiors in the workforce need to crackdown on the sexual acts men are committing in a work setting. Furthermore they need to be held accountable for their actions towards women. If there are no consequences for their actions, there is no incentive to stop behaving this way towards women. Men certainly perpetuate this problem by viewing women as sexual objects and not individuals. They can find other means of affirming their masculinity rather than exhibiting dominance over women and sexually assaulting them. If they stopped objectifying women, the inequality would be reduced. Men who choose to ignore this problem diminish it by not acknowledging the problem. This makes it seem of no importance. Males could collectively acknowledge, address and oppose the gender inequality. This would keep reducing this problem. The worse action is inaction, and it is time for men to come forth with their role in gender inequality.

Until men stop reducing women to sexual objects, gender inequality will persist. An effort needs to be made to stop female stereotyping by providing them with equal opportunities such as in the work place. Men need to be held accountable for their actions which personify the inequality that exists between men and women.