When election season takes off, it’s easy to feel tempted to tune out. While ignoring the hype may be an easy option, decisions made by lawmakers have real effects on students and contribute the attitudes and stigmas of society.

While speaking on the topic of abortion, in the case of rape, U.S. Rep. Todd Akin, winner of the Missouri GOP Senate primary, made a statement showing his complete ignorance on the topic of sexual assault and the female reproductive system.

“If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down,” Akin said.

This statement caused a media uproar, bringing into question what Akin believed to be “legitimate rape” and how he came to his understanding of a mysterious “rape detector” in the female body.

His statement is extremely insulting to survivors of sexual assault by implying that some forms of assault are more or less legitimate than others and hinting that women who become pregnant as a result of rape are lying about their assault. 

Terms like “legitimate rape” contribute to a culture in society that promotes that women are responsible for protecting themselves from rape and that if they do not take the proper preventative measures, they are to blame.

After an outcry for Akin to drop out of the race, Akin retracted his statement, saying that he misspoke.

“I was talking about forcible rape,” Akin said. “I used the wrong word.”

Akin shows that he is completely in the dark on the topic of sexual assault. 

Forcible rape does not include sexual assault of those who are intoxicated, drug impaired, or those with mental disabilities. Statutory rape also does not meet the definition of forcible rape.

This means that the only rape Akin considers to be “legitimate” is the archaic “stranger in an alley” scenario, despite current statistics showing that two-thirds of assaults are committed by someone known to the victim.

His gross ignorance again promotes a culture of rape in American society and the belief that women in certain situations are “asking for it.”

Akin’s decision to link “legitimate” rape with forcible is a detrimental statement for women’s rights and victims of abuse everywhere. He minimizes the experiences and alienates survivors of a crime that already often comes with a social stigma. 

Ignorant statements like these shame women who already may suffer from self-blame, depression, flashbacks and PTSD. Fifty-four percent of rape and sexual assaults are not reported to the police and a culture that places the blame on victims only perpetuates this trend.

The Republican Party quickly withdrew support from Akin and joined the calls for him to pull from the race. However, it is notable that GOP vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan was an original co-sponsor of the  “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.”  Part of this bill removed the exemption to the federal ban on abortion funding for rape survivors, unless the woman was a victim of “forcible rape.”

While the bill did not pass, attempts to redefine rape or indicate that victims of statutory, impaired, or coerced rape are somehow less victimized and more responsible for the assault are disgraceful and extremely dangerous.

This November, it is imperative that you critically examine the beliefs of those running for office. Those who do not uphold the rights of all victims of sexual violence have no place in a position of power. 

Rather than voting for a candidate who redefines rape, vote for someone who will work to prevent it.