Asking for It

The Alarming Rise of Rape Culture - and What We Can Do About It

By: Kate Harding

Narrated by: Erin Bennett

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

From Congressman Todd Akin's "legitimate rape" gaffe to the high school rapists of Steubenville, Ohio, to the furor at Vanderbilt, sexual violence has been so prominent in recent years that the feminist term "rape culture" has finally entered the mainstream. But what exactly is it? And how do we change it?

In Asking for It, Kate Harding answers those questions in the same blunt, no-nonsense voice that has made her a powerhouse feminist blogger. Combining in-depth research with practical knowledge, Asking for It makes the case that 21st-century America - where it's estimated that out of every 100 rapes only five result in felony convictions - supports rapists more effectively than victims. Harding offers ideas and suggestions for addressing how we as a culture can take rape much more seriously without compromising the rights of the accused.

©2015 Kate Harding (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Just Wow!

Every man and woman on this planet should be required to read this book. If they were, sexual assault would become a thing of the past. It really is that simple.

Incredibly Important Read

The author uses research, legal examples, and outstanding logic to portray that rape not only happens, it is also a crime that for some reason isn't treated as such. I work in the legal system. Did you know I once saw a woman get 20 years for providing a fake alibi but saw no conviction for the guy who was caught by FIVE witnesses raping and unconscious woman? Better yet, the second guy ADMITTED it in text messages, but the jury decided that somehow those texts weren't relevant. This is the world we live in. READ THIS.

Story makes you relive the terror

Listening to this book was actually traumatizing for me. It made you feel like you were actually there and experiencing it firsthand. If you’ve ever been raped or sexually assaulted, this may trigger or traumatize you. Some parts I could very much relate to, others just made me seething angry! I commend the author for her bravery and bringing awareness to this. No one should be made to feel guilty for coming forward. Punish the perpetrators!!

understanding rape culture, 101 level

Concise, accessible, with concrete examples and tools. Kate Harding sheds light on how systemic rape culture affects our everyday lives, and how we can push back.

Nailed It

It's books like these that make me feel hopeful that justice will finally be served for people like me who have been victims of the "rape culture" that surrounds us.

A must to understand rape culture.

Highly recommended if you have interest in criminological theory! Harding has a unique perspective into sexual assault.

Such an important book on an important topic

Would you listen to Asking for It again? Why?

I already have. It's one of those that when I got to the end I started over again.

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

As a lifelong feminist I am no stranger to the concept of rape culture. However, this book brought sharply into focus the current incarnation of systemic rape culture - how our institutions around law enforcement, professional sports, education, and media support and propagate rape culture. I appreciate the author's stated focus on staying away from telling too many individual stories of rape (important though that may be) except for those that illustrate a point she is making. In our hyper-connected world, it is extremely important that we look critically at how our institutions help create and propagate rape culture. And I'm also so glad she ended with what should be giving us hope that now that we've started exposing rape culture we can find a way to limit it.

What does Erin Bennett bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Erin Bennett expertly handles the author's wit and humor. This can be some pretty horrifying concepts to hear about, and the levity provided by the author's wit is very helpful in getting through all of it without feeling overwhelmed.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I suppose "all of them" is not a useful answer. I suppose the most devastating part of the book is the statistical discussion of law enforcement officers attitudes towards those that report rape.

Any additional comments?

Anyone who is a potential victim of rape (also know as "everyone") or knows someone who could be a potential victim of rape (everyone, again) should read this book.

Heavy.

This was an insanely informative and dark journey into rape culture. I wish I had read it instead of listening to it on my commute, to be honest. I felt depressed every day that I played it in the morning. The narrator was very robotic sounding, a little warmth in her voice would have been nice for adding humanity to the stories of various women discussed. But very important and well researched content.

Straightforward, painful, but necessary

A thorough sampler of just how deep rape culture goes, and how misogyny is excused as normal.
Be careful if you’re a rape survivor, this book has a ton of triggering content. Be aware before you start it.

READ!!

Anyone, everyone, of all ages, genders, races and classes MUST read or listen to this book. It will BLOW YOUR MIND!!

It will break your heart, make you laugh out loud at Harding's witty remarks and explanations. She doesn't hold back at all her writing so modern, daring and brave. The narrator, too, was WONDERFUL.

I laughed, I cried, I want to share this with everyone I know. It's effing brilliant!!