Rape Culture exists in America

In summary, although there are issues that seem black and white, once we dig into the details an issue may be more unclear than we originally realized. In this debate, we addressed some inadequacies of the justice system, unconscious psychological biases and assumptions, and broad human rights within a governed society. Though the justice system has strong procedural and adjudicative capabilities, it lacks accessibility to justice and can fail to give equal levels of due process to both victims and defendants. Outside of trials, the justice system lacks the resources and/or the resolve to diligently complete the chain of evidence, let alone uphold justice without bias. Although not mentioned above, the system is over-crowded, over-worked, and under funded leading many cases to be settled outside of court or with pre-negotiated plea deals (among other practices) that circumvent due process (which harms both parties, ultimately). We all make small choices every day and often do not realize we are relying on assumptions, such as picking up a glass of water we assume is cool so it won't burn our hands. Usually unquestioned assumptions like these are harmless and positively influence our actions. However, sometimes our unconscious assumptions can lead us to trains of thought that can become victim blaming. "If the defendant is innocent until proven guilty of sexual violence, does that mean the victim is guilty until proven innocent of lying?" There is no reason to assume they are both guilty, which is unfair. There is no reason to assume only one is innocent, because it is unfair to the other. Therefore, are trial can only proceed under the premise they are both innocent. Should there be too little evidence, they will stay that way in the court's eyes. However, this is rarely the position of society on these matters. A trial of this subject usually ends in one or both parties having a ruined reputation or an increased risk of danger. While we live in a society and government which guarantees its citizens certain rights and protections, it is unjust to accept that people should be responsible for potential safety risks beyond their control. It is our own fault for assuming a glass of water is cool when it is hot, and scalding our hand when we grab it. However, we do not choose whether someone throws water (even unintentionally) and scalds us. People can and should be held responsible for their actions, hence why negligence suits exist for "accidents" and for intentional harms we call crimes. We cannot and should not be held responsible for preventing uncontrollable factors and unpredictable risks which are inescapable or pervasive. The govt doesn't withhold aid from hurricane victims because they should have prepared better for disasters or not moved there in the first place. The whole reason rape even IS a crime is PRECISELY because a person should NOT be prepared for it or just not go anywhere with anyone in the first place. No human should be the object of another or be subject to another -that's what this country was FOUNDED on and at once sought to create for ourselves. Recognizing that the erroneous responsibility to defend one's self from others is widely assumed and propagated in our society, and creates an undue burden for victims, supports the Pro argument that rape culture exists in America. I'd like to thank Yodaddyo for creating a challenging debate and his insightful arguments. I'd also like to thank the readers for reading our debate! Thanks for everyone's time and patience!