The latest innovative product to flood social media is garnering the attention of women seeking tools to protect them against sexual assault. A group of young male students from North Carolina University have created a color changing nail polish able to detect the presence of common “date-rape” drugs in drinks.
While the lauded intention of these college students seems well-meaning, advocates for sexual assault prevention question the real message this product is sending. This most recent addition, to the growing number of anti-rape devices, fuels the concept that prevention is the responsibility of young women.
Not using this nail polish may actually contribute to the criticism that a young woman failed to properly protect herself. This magical manicure can be added to the established checklist of not wearing revealing clothing, watching your drink, traveling in groups and staying sober; concepts that reinforce blame and guilt young women into a controlled lifestyle.
The escalating sexual assault problem plaguing college campuses is being closely scrutinized. Advocates for sexual assault prevention want efforts targeted at the real problem – the people slipping the drugs into the drinks. Activists want to see headlines for campaigns that tackle the tough issues, like comprehensive consent education, respecting boundaries and bystander intervention training.
The solution to this epidemic is stopping the violence. The reliance on deterrents only moves the predator on to another victim.