Rape culture is a term familiar to the majority of us in the United States. Whether we're able to give a formal definition of "rape culture" or not, I would feel comfortable assuming that it's something that the general population would be able to understand. For most people, a sexual assault accusation or case is enough for them to lose their jobs or have other or additional serious consequences. Why is this not the case for politicians?
Something that we may not be able to understand is how rape culture has long infiltrated our political systems, turning survivors' experiences into political currency rather than treating them with dignity or justice. The intersection between rape culture and politics is not just uncomfortable; it's a testament to how our political machinery prefers power over accountability.
In recent years, we have been able to see multiple examples where sexual harassment and assault weren't just ignored but were instead actively weaponized for political gain. High-profile cases such as the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, Bill Clinton sexual misconduct case, and the sexual abuse case against former president Donald Trump highlight how sexual assault has been utilized as a political tool. Instead of focusing on justice or accountability to the victims, the conversation has been becoming increasingly partisan, with victims and victims' stories being used as pawns within a larger power struggle.
According to a study performed by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center in 2015, one in four women will experience sexual assault in their lifetime. Despite this, only 5% of sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement, and of those reported cases, 20% are deemed baseless (by police) and therefore coded as "unfounded." What a shock. This skepticism undermines victims' experiences and offers politicians the perfect opportunity to exploit; fostering division rather than accountability.
Take Anita Hill's testimony against Clarence Thomas: public scrutiny and shaming drowned out her allegations. Decades later, Bill Clinton's scandal with Monica Lewinsky and subsequent accusations of sexual misconduct showed the same dynamic, where the credibility of the victims was questioned, and the focus was shifted to political damage control rather than accountability. More recently, North Carolina Lt. Governor Mark Robinson has faced multiple accusations of inappropriate conduct, which were met with denial and counter-attacks rather than genuine efforts to address the issue.
Rather than addressing sexual misconduct, political campaigns often exploit it as a distraction. A review of recent news reveals extensive documentation of how politicians accused of sexual misconduct frequently resort to victim-blaming narratives to evade accountability. By casting doubt on the credibility or motives of victims, these figures maintain their power and contribute to societal polarization. Although it's important to recognize that, on rare occasions, allegations may be fabricated or exaggerated, such instances are infrequent and should not overshadow the pressing reality faced by survivors.
The tragic irony is that the more divided the public becomes, the less likely we will see real progress for survivors.
The media, too, plays a significant role in this process. In a study performed in 2022, research showed that media outlets, in their quest for sensational headlines, frame sexual violence as a scandal rather than focusing on systemic solutions. This fascination with spectacle over substance perpetuates the cycle of victim-blaming and reinforces rape culture, making the credibility of the victim the central question—always up for debate. Moreover, victims face not only disbelief and blame from the public but also the unsettling realization that those who believe them may have their own political agendas, complicating their pursuit of justice.
The Brett Kavanaugh confirmation hearing was one example of this politicization. Christine Blasey Ford's powerful testimony was met with skepticism and ridicule from politicians and the media alike. Instead of focusing on the gravity of her allegations, public discourse centered around her motives and the impact on Kavanaugh's career. The hearings were about political survival, not truth or justice. Once again, survivors were sidelined, their experiences reduced to talking points for a polarized electorate.
Donald Trump's history with sexual assault allegations follows the same tired script. As reported by multiple news sources, over two dozen women have come forward against him, yet discussions surrounding his campaigns and presidency often minimized or dismissed these claims. Even after losing a sexual abuse case as recently as 2023, the focus on political consequences continued to overshadow the severity of the accusations, further normalizing a culture of impunity.
While some argue that these claims surfaced solely for political reasons, this perspective ignores the broader pattern of accountability avoidance in cases of sexual misconduct. By treating sexual violence as just another campaign hurdle, political figures, including Trump, evade responsibility and perpetuate a system where the rights of survivors are secondary to maintaining power.
This isn't a partisan issue—it's a systemic one. Survivors' stories are used as weapons, their humanity stripped away, regardless of which side of the aisle wields them. Collateral damage in political battles, their pursuit of justice is buried beneath layers of partisan interests.
Addressing this issue requires more than recognizing what is wrong; it also demands action. Our political leaders need to be held accountable by principles of justice, not just political survival. The media needs to shift from scandalous front-page stories to being willing to have meaningful and difficult conversations about sexual harassment and violence and focus more on survivor support. As voters, we need to demand that our leaders take an active stance against all forms of sexual misconduct and that they prioritize justice in both actions and words.
The relationship between power and sexual misconduct thrives in silence and inaction. Still, we can do more than we think by simply refusing to allow survivors to be treated as some type of political pawn. It’s time to hold leaders accountable for their actions, as we do anyone else, and to create a society where survivors are a priority, not a political tool.