The concept of rape culture, a legacy of feminist struggles against patriarchal and racist oppression

The current visibility of sexual violence has drawn attention to the multiple expressions of rape culture, prompting a reexamination of the concept’s meanings and origins. This article situates its genesis within a long history of the politicization of sexual violence. By (re) highlighting the feminist praxis that led to the conceptualization of rape culture, the author addresses broader issues related to the transmission of feminist knowledge and memory. The first section examines the legacy of 1970s U.S. radical feminists, whose revolutionary efforts present challenges for those who use the term “rape culture.” The second section underlines the importance of anti-racist struggles in the emergence of the idea of rape culture and in reinforcing its transformative potential.