To Whom It May Concern:
I am an alumna of Pepperdine University, and I have to say that the article “Racy costumes attract unsafe attention” published in the Graphic was incredibly disheartening.
A reminder to be safe on Halloween is never a bad idea. However, the article’s overarching thesis that a woman’s choice of clothing can either serve as a possible deterrent or as an invitation is a damaging falsehood.
First, a woman’s clothing choices — especially on Halloween, when most people are pushing boundaries of taste — should not be taken as an indication that she would like to engage in any sexual activities.
Second, any misconception a man may have based upon said clothing choices is very quickly and easily corrected as soon as the woman says, “No.” Once she says, “No,” it is no longer excusable to say she was in any way “asking for it.”
Third, claims such as those presented in this article help alleviate the consciences of men who commit sexual violence.
Fourth, this type of discourse infantilizes men by portraying them as something other than grown adults fully capable of controlling their urges and actions.
Fifth, this article simply ignores the progress that has been made in the discourse surrounding sexual violence, which has long since moved away from a focus on the victim’s behavior. This makes the Graphic and Pepperdine seem incredibly unenlightened.
On a personal note, I have been sexually assaulted several times in my life. I was conservatively dressed in every instance.
Others occurred at my middle school, on a church retreat, and at work. The worst of all of my sexual assaults occurred my freshman year of college, on Halloween, on Pepperdine’s campus.
I was very body conscious that year because I was recovering from anorexia. I was ashamed of my body and sought to cover it up as best as possible. I was — by far — the most conservatively dressed girl at the Halloween party I attended. Yet, I was the one who was attacked.
I am also not a promiscuous girl. I had never done more than kiss a boy, and intended to keep it that way until I was married. I was also incredibly forthright with my attacker. As soon as I realized he had separated me from my friends, I told him, “You’re not going to get what you want.” He responded, “You don’t know that.” I was then locked in a room for ten hours, and took the worst beating of my life.
I was dressed conservatively, I was not acting promiscuously and I was bluntly forthright with him about my lack of sexual interest. It did not matter. The reason it did not matter was because that man is a rapist.
What made that night dangerous for me was the fact that a rapist was present. This is something that no clothing choice could have prevented.
Moreover, my knowledge of this subject matter is not merely anecdotal. I have researched sexual violence in considerable depth, and the simple fact is that women’s clothing and promiscuous activity is not the cause of sexual violence.
The fact that this article insinuates otherwise is disheartening and embarrassing.
I apologize that I am unable to attach my name to this letter. I would not normally write an anonymous critique. However, due to the very personal information provided in this letter, I would like to remain anonymous.
Love through Christ,
A Disheartened Alumna
