I was so happy to see this article in Self Magazine this month (trigger warning on that link).

The article discusses the case of Jeffrey Marsalis, who was charged with rape 10 times but never convicted. It’s a disturbing story, but what’s great about it is that the author breaks down tons of rape myths and offers really important information about sexual violence to a huge population of women, many of whom are not likely to find that information elsewhere. The article is everything the terrible “Gray Rape” article in Cosmo could have been (I won’t link to it… You can google if you want to be disturbed). Instead of saying that rape that doesn’t fit our stereotypes is “gray” or not “real rape,” the Self article talks about the psychology of rape survivors, and the reality of rape. It’s an article that I think will help a lot of survivors.

This is a great example of what magazines like Self could be… A place where real issues are discussed, and women can gain a sense of community and support instead of judgement and calls to conformity.