After reading other feminist manifestos, I wrote this one for me:
Because I am a survivor, not a victim.
Because rape affects all women, regardless of ability, age, sexual orientation, religion, culture or race.
Because the media portrays women as sex objects.
Because date rape drugs exist.
Because a rapist isn’t always a stranger.
Because we are silenced by our friends and family.
Because no one wants to talk about it.
Because we can’t all be like Lorena Bobbitt.
Because our bodies belong to us and it is our right to choose who can touch us.
Because no means no, in every country.
Because we are tired of being victimized by the police, hospitals and the justice system.
Because the law doesn’t protect us.
Because what we wear, what we drink and where we were at whatever time of night , has absolutely no bearing on why we were raped. It is the presence of a rapist that creates a rape.
Because women have been raped in their homes, in broad daylight, by men they know; for all these reasons and more, we must speak out, we must change the law and we must fight back!
