SSU senior presents 'The Rape Myth and Women's Clothing'

Sep. 27, 2011

Christina Jones, a senior at Shawnee State University, will present "Dressed for Deceit: The Rape Myth and Women's Clothing" at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 29, at the University Center Room 214.

Jones is an English major with a concentration in Cultural and Media Studies and she has three minors, Women's Studies, American and British Literature. She works at the Women's Center and the Writing Center as a tutor. She plans to continue her studies in graduate school for creative writing and women's studies.

"Dressed for Deceit: The Rape Myth and Women's Clothing" was her senior seminar presentation.

"I chose the topic of the rape myth and how it affects everyone, in light of journalists Lara Logan's victimization in Egypt," Jones said. "It's as if her clothing could be the reason that she was raped and beaten. I felt so sad for her, thinking that she had to not only overcome being hurt but also defend her innocence. It is sadly something that most female victims are faced with."

Her goal in the presentation is to highlight myths about rape such as: the real cause, vulnerability issues, and why women need to understand they are not to blame for sexual violence against them.

In her research, she found that statistics of sexual violence in nudist colonies are far less than in some cultures where women wear burquas from head to toe.

"Revealing clothing does not equal the justification to be violated and it's just that simple," Jones said.