One in six women will be the targets of attempted or completed rape in their lifetime.

We can no longer blame society for rape culture because we are society. For example, have you ever listened to the lyrics of Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines”? Simply the phrase, “Good girl, I know you want it” shows the way society has normalized rape and sexual abuse.

One phrase that is commonly heard is “how to prevent rape and sexual assault.”

However, instead of teaching girls that they should wear modest clothes, never walk alone or unprotected at night, never leave their drink unattended, and that they “owe it to the man,” why are we not teaching boys simply not to rape?

“She was drunk.”

“She said yes earlier.”

“Did you see what she was wearing? She was practically screaming rape me.”

These are all simply excuses to violate a woman’s body for their own enjoyment.

One of the biggest problem with these excuses is that they’ve been working to keep rapists and sexual assailants out of jail. According to Huffington Post, 98 percent of rapists will never see the inside of the jail cell they deserve.

This is our society, everyone. Convincing women that their sexual assault is their own fault, so they never report their sexual assault, or they refuse to stand trial. It is not the victim’s fault, don’t teach girls not to get raped, teach boys not to rape.

There is a societal need to focus on the rape epidemic happening in our society.

As the new generation, it is our responsibility to take a stand against the agonizing toll rape culture has taken on our friends and family. We are the ones who need to be ready to educate, inform, enforce, and set examples.

So, next time you see someone being harassed, or sexually assaulted, take a stand and set an example now so we can end this epidemic and protect our future.