Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It by Kate Harding

 

Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It by Kate Harding is another book that has been on my reading wishlist for quite a while. I'm glad I finally listened to the unabridged audio version of this nonfiction book about the topic of rape/sexual assault and 'rape culture'.

Rape is one of the most under reported violent crimes, if not the most under reported violent crime. Even if the crime of rape is reported, the number of cases that eventually make it to trial are slim. Slimmer still is an actual felony conviction of the perpetrator.

I've read at least one other nonfiction book (Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer) about the topic of rape/sexual assault and other online statistics about rape/sexual assault itself and the information isn't pretty. The fact that most sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows, that most perpetrators of sexual assaults are often repeat offenders, and women between the ages of 12-34 make up the largest demographic of sexual assault victims is truly disturbing.

When I came across Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It by Kate Harding, I knew I wanted to read this book. I want to feel empowered as a woman and learn what I can do about the alarming rise of 'rape culture'.

I enjoyed learning more about the topic of 'rape culture' from Kate Harding's book, even if it is a difficult topic to read about due to the  violent nature of sexual assaults and the fact that so many perpetrators go unpunished for their crimes. 

Harding's writing is excellent and her writing style is straight forward and no nonsense. Each chapter in Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It is well organized and very written.

Despite the difficult subject matter of 'rape culture', I thoroughly enjoyed listening Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It by Kate Harding. I do hope someday in the not so distant future 'rape culture' will be a thing of the past.

Kate Harding points out in the last chapter of her book the forward progress made in ending 'rape culture'. We still have a long way to go in ending 'rape culture'. Harding offers several resources available for survivors of sexual assault throughout her book, especially in the last chapter. 

Much of the sexual assault resources Kate Harding shares in the last chapter are largely geared towards college students and a younger demographic in general... I can understand why much of the information shared in the last chapter was centered on those in a younger age range/demographic. College campuses and younger people make up the highest demographic of those that are sexually assaulted. In fact, RAINN reports that "Women Ages 18-24 Are at an Elevated Risk of Sexual Violence" (3x-4x higher than other age groups). Additionally, Kate Harding, herself, was a victim of sexual assault during her freshman year of college.

I'd like to emphasize that ,YES, there is something for everyone in the last chapter in terms of sexual assault resources and that's a wonderful thing. We can all gain new insight on how to end 'rape culture' and find resources for helping those that have been victims of sexual assault.

Listening time for Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It by Kate Harding is 8 hours, 55 minutes. Additionally, Erin Bennett narrated this book wonderfully,

Below is the publisher's summary for Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It by Kate Harding from Audible:

From Congressman Todd Akin's "legitimate rape" gaffe to the high school rapists of Steubenville, Ohio, to the furor at Vanderbilt, sexual violence has been so prominent in recent years that the feminist term "rape culture" has finally entered the mainstream. But what exactly is it? And how do we change it?

In Asking for It, Kate Harding answers those questions in the same blunt, no-nonsense voice that has made her a powerhouse feminist blogger. Combining in-depth research with practical knowledge, Asking for It makes the case that 21st-century America - where it's estimated that out of every 100 rapes only five result in felony convictions - supports rapists more effectively than victims. Harding offers ideas and suggestions for addressing how we as a culture can take rape much more seriously without compromising the rights of the accused.

I am giving Asking for It: The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture and What We Can Do About It by Kate Harding a rating of 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Until my nest post, happy reading!!