Justice Knows No Gender

             American culture is dominated by the idea that women should be treated differently than men. There are numerous arguments about whether their treatment is better or worse than that of men, but there is no debating how women are treated when it comes to sexual assault. Since most women are smaller in stature and have a less intimidating mannerisms than men, they easily become the target of assault. With these facts in mind, it is easy to understand why sexual assault laws favor the defense of a woman. Furthermore, these laws are useful to protect a woman’s safety and peace of mind. When the gaze is turned to non-violent sexual assault cases, however, policies and statutes begin to become less balanced. Consent is the main mechanism by which these cases are judged. Unfortunately for the criminal justice system, consent is rarely expressed in an  way. Happy marriages and healthy relationships are just two examples of situations where verbal consent for sex is rarely confirmed; not because of insensitivity to their partner’s wishes, but simply because consent is implied. Another example of the double standard of sexual assault in American culture is when alcohol is involved. Inebriation impairs decision making skills and prevents their user from giving consent to sex. These factors have led to the double standard of sexual assault that exists in our society today.

Growing up in the south, I was always taught to idolize and respect women above all others. Southern culture is associated with being a gentleman: opening doors for women, helping them carry heavy books or supplies, giving them your jacket in cold weather, paying for their meals on dates. All of these practices, while not harmful in and of themselves, contribute to the societal agreement that women are worth more than men. By adhering to this set of behaviors, society is confirming that the correct treatment of women is more pertinent than the correct treatment of men. This is in direct conflict with one of the basic principles of justice; its blindness. Lady Justice wears a blindfold for this exact reason, so that she cannot discriminate between race, gender, or any other factor. Unfortunately, court systems and criminal justice systems in America heavily favor women in sexual assault cases. Because society is so geared toward idolizing women and putting them on a pedestal, numerous men who are wrongfully accused of rape have no legal recourse.

There is hope for change, though. Recently I have observed a noticeable shift in the treatment of these sexual assault cases. False accusations are being punished more seriously than they have been in years past. Female teachers who act inappropriately towards young male students are being prosecuted more and more. This change is important because of how often people tend to laugh off female rape charges. It's important that our society realizes that sexual assault is never a laughing matter; male or female. These are all changes that point towards a more impartial justice system for men.