So I admit it… my blogging has been lacking. Between getting a temp full-time job for a few months and attempting to balance numerous other projects, I’ve let my writing fall to the wayside. But I think excuses are bogus, so I’m going to stop making them and instead I’m going to take action!

If you don’t already follow Our Stories Untold on Facebook, then you should. (All you gotta do is click the little “like” button over there to the right of this blog entry. It’s not hard!) I’ve received so much positive feedback about the pieces that I post on Facebook that I decided it’s time to make a Friday News Round-up of recent articles that have something to do with sexualized violence, rape, rape culture, rape myths, Christianity, Spirituality, and religion – WHEW!

I obviously can’t cover every news event that happens, but others can. So why not highlight their work instead?

I’ll get right to it then:

Christianity and Rape

• “The Biblical Imperative to Speak Out on Sexual Violence and Keep Our Churches Safe” by Cynthia Lapp

This piece appeared in Sojourners series on sexualized violence in the church. It was written by the senior pastor at Hyattsville Mennonite Church in Hyattsville, MD, and covers Biblical interpretations that explain why rape s an issue the church must pay critical attention to.

• “What’s to be done about John Howard Yoder?” By Barbra Graber

In response to a book review of John Howard Yoder’s that was written in The Mennonite, Barbra Graber outlines why the Mennonite Church needs to continue the discussion on John Howard Yoder’s abuses against women. She outlines what Mennonite scholars, publishers, men, and leaders should do to address these issues.

 Rape in the United States

• “Hacker Who Exposed Steubenville Rape Case Could Spend More Time Behind Bars Than The Rapists” by Tara Culp-Ressler

I really hope I don’t have to explain why this headline is absolutely ridiculous, and how backwards our U.S. justice system is. Why should someone calling our rape then get into more trouble then the actual rapists themselves? Once again, our society has proven why rape culture is so prevalent and engrained – it’s no wonder we have such a rape problem.

If you missed Our Stories Untold series on Steubenville and would like more information and perspective, please click here.

• “Widespread rape by staff indicates ‘fundamental failure’ of juvenile detention”

A U.S. Department of Justice survey released this week identified that there’s an overwhelming extent of rapes in juvenile detention centers, which highlights just how broken the current system is. Rape is never okay, even if it’s a rapist getting raped. We must address this problem.

Read Luke Nofsinger’s piece on Our Stories Untold about rape in the U.S. justice system.

• “Jury Acquits Texas Man For Murder Of Escort Who Refused Sex”

How this is even possible is beyond me. Regardless of a person’s profession, they should not be killed for refusing sex. How does the U.S. continue to allow this rape culture to permeate our laws and justice systems?

Rape in the World

• “Facebook’s turning point on sexual violence” By Michelle Kinsey Bruns

The Facebook Rape Campaign by a coalition of more than 100 women’s groups was successful, as Facebook promised to revise their policies on posting materials that advocate violence against women.

To read more about how Facebook was a huge proponent to rape culture, please see this piece on Our Stories Untold: “Rape, Facebook, and the Feminine Divine: Reclaiming our Feminine Power” by Trista Hendren

Thank you for a great week everyone! Check in next Friday to stay up to date on news that illustrates the rape culture we’re combating in our churches, communities, and world.