Both the criminal justice system and society in general contribute to this expectation of silence for women. Women are taught that they are somehow to blame for the actions of their perpetrator. As a society, it is easy for us to view violence against women as a private matter as a conflict between two people who know each other. But it is a public problem as the social ramifications of an act of violence affect each and every one of us. Women believe it can t happen to them.
Men believe that it won t happen to someone they love.
No matter what women say, no matter what they wear, no matter where they go, they have the right to be safe. Women have the right to be believed when they say they are victimized. Women have the right to see the perpetrator prosecuted. And women have the right to be protected against future attacks. Because 1 in 5 women will be the victim of rape in her lifetime, and because 1 in 3 women will be the victim of relationship violence, it matters to every man.