This miniature publication was done in my experimental typography course in order to address these societal issues. The key here was to target an audience of high school aged students to educate them about these concepts for prevention of this culture in future generations and spread awareness of how rampant this problem currently is.
All the included photography was directed by myself. All graphics creation, writing and layout design was additionally constructed by myself.
The color choices are focusing on the teal for sexual assault survivors as well as a vibrant, hot pink which is stereotypically considered a feminine color and in this instance can push back against the male gaze and be used a powerful feminist color.
This work was to deconstruct a pressing societal issue, and Rape Culture is a significant problem. It is a culture in which sexual violence is treated as the norm and expected, and victims of these crimes are blamed for their assault. It is not only about sexual violence itself but also about the cultural norms and institutions in place that protect rapists, shame victims, promote impunity, and demand unreasonable sacrifice for victims to avoid sexual assault.
Rape culture treats rape as a problem to be solved by the victims by improving their behavior rather than improving the behavior of potential rapists. This creates an environment in which rape becomes common, victims are silenced, and rapists are often not punished. Aside from the obvious consequences, Rape Culture as it exists polices women's lives, constraining their freedom and limiting opportunities.
