Nail polish to prevent rape??
by bre adams
Over the past month social media sites have been blowing
up about a new product—a nail polish that can detect date
rape drugs. At first glance I can see why many women think
this is a great idea. There is, however, a key factor to this
product that people aren’t seeing: it is part of a problem, not
a solution. This product is playing a part in victim blaming.
Now when a woman gets assaulted there will be a new question
to accompany the typical “What was she wearing?” or “Was
she drinking?” Now it will be “Why wasn’t she wearing the
nail polish?” This product perpetuates the misconceptions
that only women get raped and that it is a woman’s job to
avoid rape. It is just another example of trying to solve the
problem the wrong way. Instead of teaching how to not get
raped we should be teaching not to rape. Assault is never the
victim’s fault. Creating products intended to assist victims
in preventing their own rape perpetuates the notion that
assault is the victim’s fault when the only person to blame is
the attacker.
The bottom line is nail polish will not prevent rape. There
is only one way to prevent rape and that is to teach consent.
Consent does not come in any shade of grey. Consent is one of
the few black and white issues in this world. If it is not an
enthusiastic yes, it is a no. Period. Nobody’s body is public
property. If we aren’t teaching these lessons to young adults
then no amount of special nail polish will prevent assault.
Menstrual Cups—They’re Bloody Awesome!
Want to learn more about
the numerous benefits of
menstrual cups? Check out
lunette.com—my favorite
brand of menstrual cup!
-amanda
Menstrual cups are flexible cups, generally
made of medical-grade silicone, worn inside
the vagina during menstruation to collect
menstrual fluid. They are a safe, reusable,
and ecofriendly alternative to tampons
and pads. Menstrual cups hold more liquid
than tampons and pads and only need to be
changed 2-4 times per day. And, unlike tampons, menstrual cups do not contain bleach
or other potentially harmful chemicals!