White House PSA on Ending Sexual Assault

Leading US men are participating in a White House PSA against sexual assault. President Obama and Joe Biden come together with Daniel Craig, Benicio Del Toro, Steve Carell, Seth Meyers and Dulé Hill to address the issue. What is unique about this PSA is that it is all men; men, who seem to be directly addressing other men as a means to stop sexual assault with, "...we have to stop it, so listen up." It paints a very black and white picture regarding sexual assault and how to deal with it: (Click here to watch)

1. Consent: "If she doesn't consent or if she can't consent, it's rape, its assault. It's a crime. It's wrong." 

2. Witnessing sexual Assault: "If I saw it happening, I was taught you have to do something about it...I'd speak up."

3. Victimization: "I'd never blame her, I'd help her."

4. Helping: "...because I don't want to be a part of the problem, I want to be a part of the solution."

The PSA does a great job of addressing some of the most important issues and misconceptions when it comes to sexualt assault, like what is consent and victim blaming. It does, however, fail to cover that abuse can happen to males too and it almost projects the implication that men are the only assaulters. And it doesn't really describe what constitutes sexual assault. Overall though, it's nice to see a PSA that addresses an ever-present problem (if even vaguely) and one that doesn't tell women how to deal with being victims. While many may not saying this much these days, with this important and much needed PSA we can finally say, thanks Obama!