Sex assault: Men must change ‘rape culture’

This disgusting sham of a Supreme Court nomination hasn’t simply wounded the nation. The worst part is the larger lesson we are imparting.

Survivors of sexual assault are learning that when their boss, partner or any other man of importance hurts them, speaking out means crowds and online trolls will harass, threaten and mock them while rushing to the defense of the predator.

This is rape culture. And it is not a “woman’s problem.” We are all worse off from living in this kind of society.

As a white man - with property, a college degree, and a governmental title no less - I have privilege that insulates me from anything close to the trauma experienced by women in our country on a daily basis.

But rather than simmering in my anger, I commit myself to using my own privilege instead.

I vow to double my efforts to call out bad behavior wherever I see it, to model the respectful behavior through my own actions that I would have other men do, and to leverage my own privilege to accomplish these things.

I ask any men of conscience reading this to do the same. Your efforts matter.