Sorry people. We have hit a new low, and entered a new era.
That’s right Squamish. Texting unwanted pictures of penises to women has become the newest form of sexual harassment disguised as a dating strategy. We can add this to the growing list of other mediums used to send them, like online dating apps and Snapchat to name a few.
I think it’s time we have a talk. But what’s the problem you ask?
Most of these pictures are unsolicited. Women are not asking men to send them, and women are complaining about it.
In my experience at university, this topic has come up a lot: women don’t want to see these pictures they did not ask for.
It truly is an assault on the senses, among other things.
More importantly, this is an issue of consent. Unless a woman asks a man to send a photo, he should not send it! Are we still not listening here?
In my opinion, these men have discovered a new way to assert their power and announce their intentions.
Believe it or not, this disturbing and rather weird act of sending unwelcome photos is becoming quite common. Yet when women have texted revealing photos of themselves, what has happened?
Oh yes, they were shamed, called sluts and the worst scenario, blackmailed.
In most cases, once these pictures have been sent, the photographer believes the woman “owes” him some photos as well. This is where we see a major problem that goes beyond a “gross” photo.
Since elementary school, young girls have been told that texting revealing pictures of themselves is one of the most dangerous things they can do, in fear of not knowing where it could end up or who could see it. So why are we not telling young boys the same thing?
Bottom line. Men, stop it. You are not showing your best self.
Women, take a stand. Join together, verbalize and make your voices heard.
Don’t get me wrong people, expressing your sexual desire and attraction is OK, but doing so without the consent of the person receiving the picture is not OK.
To all those would-be photographers out there, please remember: consent is clear, communicated and enthusiastic – and attaining it is your responsibility.
- Ashleigh Giffen is a Squamish resident studying theatre and indigenous studies at the University of British Columbia in the Okanagan. She has heritage in several indigenous nations, but is mainly Oji-Cree and Anasazi.
