Women's Activist Organization to Hold Protest Against Rape Culture

The Women's Activist Organization (WAO) will hold an "End Rape Culture" protest Sunday, Nov. 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Churchill Field at North Dakota State University.

The event aims to raise awareness about rape culture and challenge attitudes that contribute to sexual violence.

Rape culture refers to social attitudes and behaviors that normalize, excuse or minimize sexual violence. The organization hopes to encourage conversations about the issue, including how language, victim-blaming and societal expectations can influence perceptions of sexual assault.

Izzy Eskuchen, vice president of the Women's Activist Organization, said the group strives to create an environment where students can discuss issues affecting women and their communities, regardless of their backgrounds or perspectives.

"We also invite men into our spaces, people of differing views because it's good to not create an echo chamber," Eskuchen said. "We like to facilitate those open discussions where maybe not everyone's [in agreement], but [where] people can see different views and just learn more."

Eskuchen said the upcoming protest reflects the organization's goal of bringing attention to issues that may otherwise go unaddressed.

"I think it's important to make a big deal out of things that are a big deal," Eskuchen said. "So they don't keep flying under the radar."

She expressed concern about the prevalence of rape culture on college campuses, particularly how everyday language and conversations can contribute to harmful attitudes about sexual violence.

Eskuchen pointed to questions commonly directed toward survivors, including what they were wearing or whether they had been drinking, as examples of language that can shift responsibility away from perpetrators.

"The only reason for rape is rapists," Eskuchen said.

The organization also hopes the protest will encourage students who have never participated in a public demonstration to become involved in campus advocacy.

Eskuchen acknowledged that attending a protest for the first time can be intimidating. However, she said the organization is preparing students by discussing protest etiquette and what participants can expect during the event.

To help students prepare, WAO will host two protest sign-making events in the Memorial Union before the demonstration. The first will take place Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Peace Garden Room. The second will be held Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Badlands Room. All materials will be provided, and attendees will have an opportunity to create signs for the upcoming protest.

Eskuchen said the sign-making events will also give students unfamiliar with protests an opportunity to learn about participating in a public demonstration.

"It can be scary to want to go to a protest, but we are going over [...] protest etiquette and what to expect for those who've never been to [a protest] so that they feel more prepared," Eskuchen said.

The organization encourages students to participate regardless of whether they have previously attended a protest. Eskuchen emphasized that the event is intended to bring people together around a shared opposition to sexual violence.

"We need to come together as humans to talk about why it's not okay. Why rape culture isn't okay," Eskuchen said.

For students who may be hesitant to participate, Eskuchen encouraged them to consider the importance of publicly supporting issues they care about.

"If it's really a cause you believe in, I just encourage people to use their voice for what they believe in," Eskuchen said.