Rape culture is the way in which the act of rape becomes  pervasive because of the ways society as a whole jokes about it, therefore, normalizing it. I wrote about this last year, thinking this serious topic would have action taken toward it, but it was treated like a joke.

Rape is no joke. Sexually assaulting and sexually harassing is not funny. It is because of powerful men and women that people think it is okay to laugh about such a serious problem. Bill Cosby. Donald Trump. Brock Turner. Three names well-known all across America. But what do you know these names for? Are they comedians, presidential nominees and talented swimmers? Yes, of course they are. But they are also men with casual attitudes toward rape.

Regardless of their titles, these men should not be able to hide behind their job positions. Their perceived power does not excuse unruly actions and word choices. They should be defined by their words, actions and deeds.

When well-known actors, athletes and businessmen drug, rape and sexually harass women, it makes it seem like it is okay for the rest of the world to follow their examples. The next potential president of the United States is supposed to lead by example when, instead, he sets the example that his idea of “locker room talk” is excusable. Bragging about “grab[bing] women by the pussy” because “when you’re a star, they let you do it” is not just locker room talk. That is the definition of rape culture.

Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, can make incredibly crude comments about groping women and getting away with it. Trump can brag about sexually assaulting women without consent, without question. Misogynistic and lewd comments regarding women have a long history with Trump.

We can also take famous comedian, actor and author, Bill Cosby into example. Once known for his comedy TV shows, he is now known for drugging many woman and raping them. Not just once, but multiple accounts with multiple women.

We cannot forget about Brock Turner, former student and swimmer at Stanford University. He, too, turned rapist. After being convicted of three counts of felony sexual assault, Turner was faced with jail time. But a meager three months in jail was enough for him, according to Judge Aaron Persky. Serving three months of his original six month sentence because of his good behavior, Turner’s family argued that six months was “a steep price to pay for twenty minutes of action.”

It’s plain and simple. Just don’t do it. Don’t rape. Don’t make lewd, sexual comments about women. Don’t influence rape culture anymore than it already is.