Lesson 015: Why Does Non-Consent Feel Normalized? The Impact of Rape Culture (Part 1)
If consent seems so simple, then why does non-consent feel so normalized?
In Part 1 of this two-part series, Cin, Asa, and Brooklyn examine rape culture through sociology, history, media, mythology, power, and social conditioning. From legal definitions and consent education to cultural messaging, misogyny, and modern online communities, this lesson explores how society normalizes harmful behavior and why conversations about consent are often more complicated than they seem.
Throughout the episode, we also examines historical depictions of sexual violence in mythology and art to explore how power, pursuit, coercion, and entitlement have been romanticized across centuries.
In this lesson, we cover:
* Consent, coercion, and boundaries
* Legal definitions of rape
* Implied consent and communication
* How rape culture shows up in society
* Victim blaming and harmful gender expectations
* Why rape is about power, control, and entitlement
* The “myth of the monster” and acquaintance assault
* Hypermasculinity and misogynistic online spaces
* The Gisèle Pelicot case and online rape forums
* Historical depictions of non-consent in mythology and art
⚠️ Content Notice: This episode includes discussions of rape, sexual assault, coercion, abuse, misogyny, violence against women, and childhood sexual abuse. Please take care while listening.
🎓 In Part 2, we continue the discussion by examining:
* why survivors often don’t come forward
* how difficult sexual assault cases can be to prosecute
* prevention, accountability, and what men can do to help stop sexual violence
SUPPORT FOR SURVIVORS
For help in the US, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or chat 24/7 on RAINN.org [https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/].
Internationally, a worldwide list of directories is provided by UN Women [https://www.endvawnow.org/en/need-help], with national agencies on The Pixel Project [https://www.thepixelproject.net].
📚RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS
* Tea and Consent YouTube [https://youtu.be/pZwvrxVavnQ?si=2eQVKR1EyOrea03X] (Video)
* Consent for Kids YouTube [https://youtu.be/h3nhM9UlJjc?si=_sENqKBKaNRR_eSF] (Video)
* Sexual Assault is About Power [https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/psychoanalysis-unplugged/201711/sexual-assault-is-about-power] by Lyn Yonack, MA, MSW, BCD-P (Blog)
* Exposing a Global 'Rape Academy' [https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2026/03/world/expose-rape-assault-online-vis-intl/index.html] by Saskya Vandoorne, Kara Fox, Niamh Kennedy, Eleanor Stubbs and Marco Chacon, CNN (News Article)
* The Undetected Rapist [https://static.csbsju.edu/Documents/Counseling%20and%20Health%20Promotions/CERTS/UndetectedRapist.pdf] by Dr. David Lisak (Research paper)
* Gisele Pelicot France Case [https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2024/12/europe/gisele-pelicot-france-case-messages/] by By Saskya Vandoorne, Niamh Kennedy, Caroline Baum, Kara Fox, Carlotta Dotto, Eleanor Stubbs, Yukari Schrickel and Byron Manley, CNN (News Article)
Follow along with this lesson:
View the full presentation here [https://canva.link/7aw5er8nyvykxkt].
💌 Have a question?
Submit it anonymously [https://hickory-hygienic-896.notion.site/206a247ab88080ed9d1aeaccba850729]
(Your question might be featured in a future lesson 👀)
💭 Be part of the conversation:
What’s something you’ve always wondered about human sexuality?
Join the discussion on social ↓
📲 Follow & connect:
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/abroadsexeducation/ [https://www.instagram.com/abroadsexeducation/]
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@abroadsexeducation [https://www.tiktok.com/@abroadsexeducation]
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abroadsexeducation [https://www.youtube.com/@abroadsexeducation ]
📝 Want more like this?
Join the newsletter [https://a-broad-sex-education.kit.com/f315b55dcb] for extra resources, reflections, and exclusive content.
🌐 Explore everything:
Visit the website → www.ABroadSexEducation.com [www.ABroadSexEducation.com]