The article titled "Toward Ruin or Recovery?" by Larissa Phillips explores the author's personal experience with rape in Italy in 1993 and reflects on the recent allegations made by Celeste Marcus against Yascha Mounk. Marcus, the managing editor of Liberties journal, detailed her recovery process following an alleged sexual assault by Mounk, a colleague, two and a half years ago. Phillips criticizes the modern feminist response to rape, arguing that it fails women and victims of rape by perpetuating a sense of hopelessness and vengeance rather than focusing on practical solutions and support.
Phillips discusses how the feminist movement's efforts to redefine rape have led to confusion and ambiguity, with the definition expanding to include not only physical violence but also emotional pressure, manipulation, and lack of verbal consent. She references historical moments, such as the expansion of the definition of rape during feminism's second wave, and highlights the proliferation of rape culture discourse in the 1990s, particularly on college campuses.
Drawing on her own experience of being raped in Florence, Italy, Phillips recounts the assault and her attempts to resist, reflecting on the conflicting advice she had received about how to respond to such situations. She criticizes the notion that fighting back is not prioritized in feminist discourse, highlighting research that suggests physical resistance, when combined with other strategies, can increase the chances of avoiding rape.
Overall, Phillips argues for a more nuanced and practical approach to addressing sexual violence, one that combines support for victims with efforts to challenge and prevent rape culture. She calls for a reevaluation of feminist rhetoric and a return to strategies that prioritize empowerment and agency for women.
Published 20 March 2024 on Quillette.com. Written by Larissa Phillips. Read by Iona Italia.
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