The ability to sexually harass, abuse, molest or rape is not as male exclusive as mainstream society claims, with women being capable of committing such acts.

Society has deemed women as gentle, unassuming and delicate and some women take advantage of this notion by sexually harassing others or committing criminal acts.

In an era where rape culture is being exposed, it is important that the stigma of male victims should be resolved, and female attackers be brought to light.

We must promote a culture where we recognize men being assaulted as a serious offense and not an opportunity for the victim to “get lucky.”

When we think of the words “sex offender” we are met with an image of a single middle-aged man with beady eyes and a creepy face.

In actuality, according to statistics by the National Center for Victims of Crime, “It is estimated that women are the abusers in about 14% of cases reported among boys and 6% of cases reported among girls.”

The rhetoric that those who were sexually abused, harassed or raped by women are weak because they couldn’t defend themselves against a female attacker or should have been grateful since they “got some action,” must come to an end.

How archaic is that way of thinking?

Harassment or rape committed by any gender is a serious offense and should be treated as such.

Time and time again, those who have committed such acts have returned to their normal lives with just a slap on the wrist, while their victims have to live with the memory of the event for the rest of their lives.

Women are capable of committing atrocious acts, yet society still employs that twisted sense of chivalry where they take pity on the attacker because she is a woman then has the audacity to ridicule the victim.

Any situation involving any form of harassment, abuse and especially rape is uncomfortable, so uncomfortable that most people shutdown and are unable to react in effective manner to stop their attacker.

Instead of blaming the victim, of any gender, society should hold the attacker accountable.

As a society, we must make sure those who have are a survivor of assault or abuse are comfortable and feel safe in the aftermath of an event.

Survivors should not be shamed and/or blamed for their abuse while their attacker gets off with essentially a slap on the wrist so they may put others in the same uncomfortable situation.

Sexual offenders are completely aware of their actions, as they are premeditated.

No victim of sexual abuse or rape has woken up on the morning of their attack and say, “today is a good day to be assaulted and stripped of all self-esteem.”