When sophomore Lexi Lee attended the Sexual Health Education Club meeting on Feb. 9 before school, she enjoyed listening to the diverse voices of the club’s members.

“I’ve seen articles about (rape culture) before and talked about it with family, but it was cool to get other people’s perspectives,” Lee said.

Sexual Health Education Club (SHEC) co-president and junior Izzi Gilbert Burke said the club discussed rape culture because it can impact high school students.

“It’s a very widespread issue and (is important) especially to high schoolers because the next step for a lot of people is college and (rape) can happen a lot at college,” Gilbert Burke said. “It’s good to just be observant and aware of the possibilities and how to protect yourself.”

Senior Tehya Latchman said the club talked about common stereotypes about rape culture.

“It’s not (always) the victim’s fault,” Latchman said. “(Also), people never say anything about a girl raping a guy or anything like that.”

Lee said rape culture is relevant today because its presence and impact is universal.

“Rape culture isn’t just something that happens somewhere else, it happens in Minnesota (too),” Lee said. “It can happen in any relationship, so it’s important to know that it happens everywhere.”

According to Gilbert Burke, students can help by improving their background knowledge on rape.

“(Students) can be educated and really just listen and not formulate opinions before they’ve heard the whole story,” Gilbert Burke said.