One of the reasons behind why the media focused on the "ruined" lives of the Steubenville rapists and ignored the suffering of their victim is this: we think she asked for it and doesn't deserve our empathy. She should have known better than to get drunk and lose consciousness at a party full of boys who, being victims of their inherent need for sexual violence, can't be blamed for being male.

------------------------------------------------------------ I believe in discovery and technology and innovation and science. My profession -- wh...

Today is International Women's Day, and although you might notice the requisite "Let's Empower Women and Girls" op-ed on your social media news feeds, the truth is that this day is more or less a farce. It's a day where society can say they have talked about "women's" issues for a day in order to make themselves feel like they have contributed to the betterment of humanity. Note the use of quotations. That's because I'm systematically flabbergasted as to how certain facts are perceived to be solely a women's rights issue and not a human rights issue. If any other race, religious organization, or linguistic group were treated in the same manner as women are worldwide the entire planet would be up in arms.

With so many international atrocities committed against women on a daily basis, I as a woman in the west sometimes feel that there is very little that we can do. But living in the lap of luxury doesn't remove the sadness one feels when they see the news reports. I feel overwhelmed by the state of women and believe we should act more. This International Women's Day let us educate ourselves and the society at large.

Dear a lot of people, but specifically Ms. Krista Ford, I feel like you owe me a moment of your time, even though we've never met. The circumstance being you called me a whore. I should clarify: I'm one of the victims of the recent string of sexual assaults in the Annex. 'Sup? It's nice to make your acquaintance. For the record, I was sexually assaulted while wearing a knee-length polka-dot dress. The last time I wore that dress, it was to Easter dinner at my Gran's, where I'm fairly certain I could make little to no money whoring.

So a left-wing British MP and Republican Representative from Missouri walk into a bar... Rep. Todd Akin and the garrulous George Galloway would certainly do well to have a drink together one of these nights. Regardless of the fact they both exist on opposite ends of the political spectrum, their backwards, dangerous, women-hating views on rape are eerily similar.

Daniel Tosh, the host of Tosh.0, recently performed stand-up at the Laugh Factory whereby he proceeded to make many a joke about rape. After a woman in the audience retorted, "Actually, rape jokes are never funny!" he proceeded to ponder aloud how funny it would be if she were gang raped right then and there. And he got laughs. So, what is it about violence against women that is so time-tested and hilarious? And why do people feel the need to defend the "right" to make such jokes?

Student after student came to the microphone, many sobbing as they shared their experiences of sexual assault. One woman said she had tried to commit suicide twice after she was attacked. Another spoke of a friend who sought help on campus after being assaulted. No one returned her calls.

If you know me, it's no secret that I'm a huge proponent of pornography. I've been a fan ever since I caught glimpse of the stack of Playboys in my fa...