Matt Avery
Provo
If the Gospel of Jesus Christ were taught to everyone in the world, then the problem of rape would go away, right? Wrong. Sentencing all rapists to death will stop them, right? Wrong. Murderers get the death penalty, yet killing continues. Teaching all men to respect women (since obviously none do) will make it all stop, right? Wrong. The fact is that the world is filled with bad people. Bad people do bad things, including rape. Even Utahns. Even Mormons. Even returned missionaries. No, it is NOT the rape victim's fault. But you can't stop a bad person from doing bad things until that person is 'burned as stubble.' So what are your options? Be smart, think safe. What? Rape victims are dumb? No, YOU'RE dumb for thinking that. Rape victims are victims. Even taking a whole bunch of steps to be safe won't always guarantee your safety. But taking steps to prevent can make a world of difference. Bad things happen to everyone. Your rights aren't being violated just because it's a better idea to not walk alone. You are still free to talk to strangers. But listen to your heart, or your gut, or anything that might be telling you that possible danger exists, even at BYU.