how to “kill your rapist”

Hi y’all! My name is Maren Curtis, I am an artist originally from the Bay Area currently pursuing my MFA in illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design. I’ve used my art for the last five years to talk about my experience with rape at the University of Colorado Boulder, where I graduated with a BFA in fine art printmaking in 2023.

Visual art and writing is the closest we can get to killing our rapists. Take the metaphor to heart, use this space to let shit go. This is a place where you are believed.

This is an open submission website for survivors of sexual violence to anonymously submit artistic media and/or writings (no videos) about their experiences with sexual violence without fear of judgement and full support to rage.

Making explicit/inexplicit art and writing about my experience with rape has brought me closer to a whole community of women and men who have profoundly understood thoughts and feelings that used to make me feel crazy. This website is an attempt to bring that connection I’ve benefited from to others.

I strongly believe that giving space for any emotion surrounding sexual violence, but especially rage, is an instrumental part of justice - thus the name of the website.

Most victims who try to come forward are failed by the legal system, cops, peers, school administrators, workplaces, religious communities, families - the list goes on forever.

Because of these failings, we are often left to fend for ourselves under incredibly isolating circumstances with no outlets for catharsis.

Proprietors of rape culture and abusers alike do a great job of keeping victims from talking to each other, ensuring that the cycle continues. I say let’s make it a little easier for all of us by coming together in community and art making.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES - ART

Any submissions that utilize bigotry in any way shape or form will not be posted. I will not share any contributors personal information including locations and names. If you want any aspect of your identity to be enclosed, please make it a part of the image or writing you submit. All art submissions can be sent in pdf format to the email linked below.

Nothing here needs to be ‘good’ by any artistic or academic measure - this is not the place for that. This is a place where we can see our experiences reflected across the geographic landscape of this big wide world and feel a little less alone. Not everyone has people who will rage with them in their immediate proximity, this can serve as the community you’re missing.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES - WRITING

All writing submissions can be sent in .docx format to the email linked at the bottom of the page. Please do not submit anything longer than 3500 words. If you want your name published, you must say so explicitly otherwise it will be labeled ‘anonymous’. If you have an image you want to accompany your blog post, please send it in pdf format, otherwise, I will use a default image.

You can absolutely submit writing in another language. I will translate on my own to make sure what you’ve submitted is appropriate, and post it in the language you originally submitted. If you want a translation posted, please send a translation you approve of so the tone and intended verbiage are consistent with your original writing. Google and AI translators SUCK!

Thank you all for your work -Maren