I am not sure if we are numbed to the reality of rape, but here's the sad irony. While the word rape can add an edginess to your language, talking about actual rape is taboo. I didn't know this until one of my friends was raped. Then I knew this, because I didn't want to tell anyone. If she were mugged, I would have told everyone and raged.

~ Christine Stockton

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As the incidence and fear of rape on college campuses have increased, the term rape has been generalized to mean 'misuse; diminish the effects of; steal; defeat': I just went to the mall and raped my VISA. My dad phoned this morning and raped my buzz. She raped my coat. Michigan got raped by Carolina in the NCAA final. The extension of the term rape to such contexts ameliorates the word and appears a denial on the part of college students of the seriousness of the crime.

~ Connie C. Eble

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