November 2012
FORCE projected “RAPE is RAPE onto the US Capitol Building with stories of survivors during the 2012 national election. The stories fell outside of the definition of “forcible rape” and illuminate what is missing from the national conversation on the politics of rape: the experience of survivors. The demonstration was carried off in collaboration with Luminous Intervention.
Women are twice as likely to be raped in their lifetime than to develop breast cancer. Only 14% of all rape fits lawmakers Ryan, Akins and Rivard’s narrow vision of “forcible rape”. The stories projected onto the capitol building last night are from the other 86% of people who have been raped.
“As a young girl I was raped by a group of teenage boys. They put money on the bed afterward. I was convinced it was my fault”
“My boyfriend kept trying to have sex with me. I kept saying no. He stopped after I started crying. I was 15. I remember apologizing later for crying. “
“I can’t even count the number of time I have had sex against my will. Some of the times I was pressured and other times I was drunk. I’ve never been able to call these situations rape”
FORCE strongly believes that American culture is uncomfortable to the point of being incapable of recognizing the reality of rape in this country. The organizers believe that the culture of rape will not improve until a more difficult conversation is had. These stories were projected to force the issue.