The ubiquity of rape in our society makes women fearful of men, and this decreases the possibility of men and women forming trusting, egalitarian friendships and partnerships. Women's direct experiences with sexual assault affect their relationships with male partners, friends, and family members. Men who force sex damage relationships, lives, and their victims' willingness and ability to trust other men. Men who are survivors of sexual assault, like women survivors, often suffer from post-traumatic stress and internalized victim blame. For these reasons, rape is a men's issue.
Men have the power to end rape.
The majority of sexual assaults against both women and men are committed by men. Men in this society enjoy more power and influence than women, and, as a result, are in the best position to influence other men's behavior. Contrary to the myth that women control men's sexuality, each man controls his own sexual behavior. For these reasons, men have the power to end rape. Men and women in this society are not socialized as equals, and are not socialized to talk seriously and directly with one another about matters of mutual concern-like sex.