Unsolicited Dick Pics & Sexual Harassment

We suspect offenders who send dick pics have bad posture... call it a hunch. 

December 22, 2016 - SWEDEN - In a recent article written by Irena Pozar in Veckorevyn, a Swedish magazine comparable to Seventeen, Pozar interviews star feminist lawyer Elizabeth Massi Fritz about the dangers revolving around “dick pics”. Fritz discusses this phenomenon, where men send unsolicited pictures of their genitalia to women via text and online, as a form of sexual harassment and emphasizes the importance of immediately reporting dick pics to the police.

The perpetrator was once a naked man clothed in a long trench coat, preying on women as he opened his trench coat and revealed his genitals; this is coined as "flashing" or exhibitionism. Indecent exposure laws in most states declare the act of displaying one's genitals in public a crime, as offenders seek sexual gratification. The modern day phenomena is to use smartphone cameras and send unsolicited dick pics.

“Pictures and verbal abuse are not new phenomenons; they have been around for many years,” Fritz states during the interview. “However, based on my experience, I can see that the climate surrounding the girls and women violated online has become more threatening and common. The Internet has made it possible for perpetrators to reach out easily while concealing their identities as they send anonymous images. This is unacceptable.”

Many young girls and women agree that receiving unsolicited dick pics is a disturbing form of sexual harassment. Perpetrators can easily circulate pictures of their genitalia through numerous outlets, ranging from dating platforms like Tinder to more unconventional avenues such as Apple’s AirDrop function and sending pictures of their penis to women nearby.

The article cites Fritz’s suggestions on the protocol women should take after receiving an unsolicited dick pic. “Save images by taking screenshots and save any other evidence. It’s crucial to establish that right - you have been a victim of crime,” Fritz emphasizes. “There usually exists a user profile or other digital footprints that can reveal who the perpetrator is. Report to the police and remember that you have to right to request a counsel paid by the state; this will help you throughout the legal process.”

According to the article, unsolicited dick pics are always a form of sexual harassment; however, perpetrators may take it to the next level and commit more heinous sexual acts. “There may be instances where they commit sexual acts via a recording or image, and then it can be a question of other crimes, such as child rape, if the victim is younger than 15 years of age,” Fritz explains. “Therefore, it is very important to save all evidence and explain the events carefully to the investigating police.”

A majority of women can attest that unsolicited dick pics are an infringement on their personal security. Regardless, society often normalizes the circulation of dick pics as a phenomenon that men often engage in because it is so common. But sending dick pics is a form of sexual assault when women are blindsided and do not consent to receiving them.

In the article, Fritz closes her interview with a reminder to victims. “Do not forget that you are not alone in receiving these pictures, and it’s never your fault - it is always the perpetrator's fault and the perpetrator must take responsibility for his actions,” Fritz explains. “If a perpetrator is convicted because he sent dick pics, he is subject to a prison sentence as well as other charges.”

To spread word of the harmful effects accompanying dick pics, Fritz has launched a movement/campaign on social media to educate dick pic victims and perpetrators. The hashtag #stoppasnopparna, which translates to #stopthedicks, is the voice of the online movement.

Ask a Dermatologist Anonymously About Your STD/STI Concerns

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Written by Caroline Lee, Blog Contributor

Smegma: The Body’s Natural Cheese

A block of cheese made from smegma! Just kidding, it's just cheese.

September 10, 2015 - If you have played Cards Against Humanity then you probably have seen the word smegma. A quick urban dictionary search during gameplay reveals that smegma is, “a foul cheese like buildup that comes from not washing or properly maintaining equipment”. It foulness makes it a perfect play for Cards Against Humanity, but what really is smegma?

Smegma is the combination of skin cells, oils, and moisture that collects around the foreskin and around the clitoris and labia areas. While found on both men and women, smegma is most notably problematic for uncircumcised men. It is commonly called the body’s natural cheese because the appearance of built up smegma tends to resemble the horderve. The key to getting rid of smegma is quite simple actually: wash well.

Washing well removes dead skin and smegma from your genitalia. Warm water and soap now and again will do the trick. Guys with foreskin: make sure to wash well under the foreskin to remove all hidden buildup.

If after you clean you still have issues, you should consider consulting a doctor as you may have an infection or other serious condition.

If you stay on top of your hygiene, you will be able to stay clear of smegma and the only time you will have to think about it is during your next Cards Against Humanity game.

Ask a Dermatologist Anonymously About Your STD/STI Concerns

Why Do Penis’s Smell Bad?

If you visit the beach in the summertime you’re bound to see some hunks styled in shorts and speedos, and a few babes rocking booty shorts and bikinis. If you’re in America, you probably won’t see people naked. That is because we as a society believe that our private parts should be kept private. This may be a relief for some parents, but it is actually one of the largest contributors to penis smell.

Heat and moisture that ensues under your garments combined with your bodies natural skin bacteria can quickly generate an odor. This process is amplified by the sweat glands in the male groin area causing a noticeable “penis smell”. If this is the case for you or someone you know, first: don’t worry! Odor is a perfectly normal part of the human body and can easily be controlled. Here are some hygiene tips to help with penis smell:

Wash well.

I can’t stress this enough. Washing well in the shower is the first step to fighting penis odor. Make sure to wash from your body to the tip, including your pubic hair. If you are uncircumcised, make sure to wash under the foreskin.

Dry Off.

Make sure to give your body enough time to dry before throwing on clothes. By doing this, you can reduce the moisture and thus reduce odor.

Cut Pubic Hair.

Pubic hair is a breeding ground for bacteria and sweat. Trimming and washing your public hair will help prevent odor.

Wear Breathable Clothes.

Make sure to wear proper clothes and materials such as cotton underwear. If you are performing physical activity, then make sure your clothing matches the activity level. No pants on beach days and no thermal pants in the summertime.

If after implementing these few tips you still notice a penis smell, consider consulting a doctor about the issue. Sometimes odor in your groin area is linked to STIs, infections, or even STDs.

Remember that it is normal to have some sort of penis smell! Maintaining basic hygiene will help control the odors that our bodies are so naturally inclined to secrete. If you continue having issues, consider having a discussion with your doctor. Everyone just wants the best for your penis. 

Pubic Hair: Shaving vs. Shaving for Men and Women

Not a fan of the “au naturel” look?  Well, there are quite a few options when it comes to grooming your genitalia. Both men and women are regularly removing hair in their under regions, and an astounding 87 percent of American women remove their pubic hair.

What are the best ways and what are the safest practices? In short, it comes down to personal preference, but there are some things to consider when it comes to taming your mane.

Precautions and Risks

• If you are ever unsure or worried you might have an STI then consult a medical professional - an STD clinic, GP, dermatologist or gynecologist are all great places to start.

• Both Waxing and Shaving increase your risk for skin infections.

• Removing hair using both of these methods create small open lesions in the epidermis for bacteria to enter.

• Ingrown hairs are common for both methods of hair removal.

• Always be sure to wash the treated area with a very mild antibacterial soap after hair removal.

• A cold towel can help with pore minimization or any irritation caused by hair follicle removal.

• Avoid lotions and gels after hair removal, and make sure the area is clean and dry

Shaving

Shaving is the most common method of hair removal. Shaving is also usually less expensive than waxing, however you do have to shave more often than waxing.

Tips for a good shave:

• Make sure you’ve showered and cleaned the area you will be trimming

• Shave in the direction that the hair is growing, this will minimize the risk for ingrown hairs

• Use a disposable razor instead of using the same blade over and over, as some bacteria can grow on the same razor in the warm bathroom.

• Shaving gel or cream can help with a clean shave. With that said, make sure you aren’t allergic or sensitive the the ingredients in your gel or cream.

• Don’t share razors, they can transfer bacteria and cause infection.

Waxing

Waxing is another alternative to shaving, however there are still risks for ingrown hairs and infections.  There is also a pain associated with waxing, but the good news is that more you do it the less it hurts and the hair takes longer to grow back since the entire hair follicle.  DIY Waxing can cost effective, but might be messy and awkward.  When in doubt, go to a trusted waxing technician (esthetician) to do the job, but make sure the salon is clean and follows hygiene codes. They can also help you decide how much to take off and what style you want.

Tips for Waxing

• Make sure you’ve showered and cleaned the area you will be waxing

• Dead skin and dirt can clog pores, causing a bumpy, red rash, so you’ll want to exfoliate the day before you’re going to wax

• Your hair should be about one-quarter inch long, so you can pull out the roots

• Make sure you only use fresh wax

• A new applicator (wooden stick) should be used each time you put wax on the body

• Disposable gloves should be worn for protection

• If your skin is sensitive be sure to use a hypoallergenic and unscented wax

• To reduce redness apply a chilled towel to the waxed area or apply a facial toner that contains chamomile

Trimming

Trimming is another option that some males and females prefer.  The risk for ingrown hairs or infections decrease because you are not completely removing the hair follicle, and you generally cut yourself less, thereby reducing the entry of bacteria. But of course with this method your hair will be longer than shaving and waxing.  The best tools for grooming your nether parts are usually electric clippers or scissors.

Tips for Trimming

• Make sure you've showered and cleaned the area you will be trimming

• Be sure the tools you are using to trim are sanitary and cleaned after each use

• Trim you hair when it’s dry (remember trim while dry and shave when wet)

• Use a clipper guard if you are using an electric clipper

• Proceed with caution in the genital region

Worried about an ingrown hair or red bump?

Have it checked by a skin doctor here

#itchdontkillmyvibe #LPT

Top 5 Best Dating Apps That You’ve Never Heard Of

The first time I heard about Coffee Meets Bagel was from my roommate who was using it to find a more serious relationship. Coffee Meets Bagel offers a unique experience that focuses on compatibility. To do so, they match you with one other user (bagel) per day. This quality over quantity approach provides the user with a more intimate meeting experience. They market themselves as the only dating app women love, but my male roommate seems to enjoy the intimacy just as much.

Healthvana is not necessarily a dating app, but more of a dating app accessory. Healthvana helps users find highly rated STD and STI screening/testing clinics in their area. So what does this have to do with dating apps? After getting screened, you can get your results sent straight to the app on your phone. This is great, especially when the person you just met on some random dating app wants to know if you’ve been checked and are good to go.

Want to meet people you probably have already met? Happn connects you with the people you have crossed paths with and who are directly around you. The unique feature of this dating app is that it tells you how often, if ever, you and the other person have been in the same place. It’s a good way to start a conversation with that intriguing person you see every morning on the bus.

Are you Down? Down lets you know if the person you matched with is interested in dating or if they just want to get down. It gets rid of those awkward moments of having to ask questions and gets right down to business (pun intended). This app is perfect for the lazy Tinderer or Grindrer who know exactly what they want out of a dating app.

Pure is the Uber of dates. You only match with people who are close by and are willing to go out at that very instant. The app focuses on spontaneity that drives the on-demand services market. So for you more spontaneous, adventurous folk, try Pure and within minutes you can be sitting at a table sipping a latte with the person of your dreams.

Top 4 Innovators in Sexual Health

Cindy Gallop made a splash in 2009 in which she spoke at TED about how hardcore porn has directly affected her life. She goes on to explain that porn creates unrealistic expectations of both men and women in sexual relationships. She also points out that pornography has a way of acting as sexual education tool for children in schools that teach abstinence only. In response to this cultural phenomenon she created MakeLoveNotPorn a website dedicated to initiating a conversation about sex and healthy sexual relationships. This site is a platform for both men and women to engage in a meaningful conversation about sexual relationships outside of porn.

Wise Guyz is a program that began when the founders realized that most sexual health education was geared toward women and that although teen pregnancies were declining, domestic violence, STIs, and homophobia were on the rise. They realized that most boys were seeing troubling images in the media of what it meant to be a man. This is why Wise Guyz was founded, to combat these problematic messages and educate young men on issues such as human rights, sexual health, gender, and positive relationships.

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Ovatemp helps women regain control of their reproductive health through the Fertility Awareness Method (FAM). This method involves women tracking their cycles allowing them to either achieve or avoid pregnancy naturally. The Ovatemp app syncs to a Bluetooth thermometer to track the users temperature and combined with elements of traditional charting can pinpoint on which days women are ovulating. Their product is more than just a charting app. It has a support community and gives advice on how to get your reproductive health into ideal shape helping women to be empowered in their reproductive health. 

Callisto is changing the way that sexual assault is reported on college campuses.  According to their website one in five women will be sexually assaulted in college, and many men are as well. Yet, less than 10% of those assaulted report it to the college or police. They have created a third-party sexual assault reporting system designed to provide a safe and confidential reporting environment. Their system has a three-step process that allows the user to control their report every step of the way. Callisto empowers survivors to have control in a situation where there is seemingly none.

Sex Ed That Goes Beyond Sex

The first time I was introduced to sexual education was back in elementary school. Our teacher, Ms. Isabel, briefly murmured at the end of class that at the end of the week all sixth grade students would be watching a video on “changes in our bodies”. This interesting and slightly unnerving description of the video was the talk of the town -- or at least of the sixth grade. Our attentiveness was gone with the mention of the concept of sex and the only learning our class did that week was finding out who’s parents weren’t going to let their kids watch.

My mom had always been very open with me about sexual health and health in general since she worked in the medical field. Every time I had what we called, “a body question”, her dusty college anatomy book quickly came out. Flipping through the pictures and reading scientific explanations was my foundation for sexual education. So of course, with no hesitation, she allowed me to watch “the movie”.

It was finally Friday. As class came to an end, the girls and boys were separated into their own rooms. In the boy’s room, a teacher that I had never met before stood in front of the class. He was going to be holding the discussion. Since Ms. Isabel was a woman, I’m assuming she ended up with the girls. Regardless, a majority of our class didn’t know the man who was about to talk to us about manhood.

The class started off with the movie. After the conclusion of the 1970’s film, there was a brief open discussion. Some of my peers spoke freely, asking questions and expressing interest. I, however, did not. When there were no more questions left we were sent off with a party-favor-like goodie bag filled with deodorant, combs, and a few other toiletry items. To this day I am convinced that in some way that brown paper bag was my official certificate into manhood. That was it; I was now a certified man. We were even inducted by the wise elders.

This hour-long fiasco resulted in not much more than the next week’s rumors of what had been said in the other sex’s class and who asked what questions.

My next run-in with sex ed was in high school when all sophomores were forced to take a class called Health. Health class was enjoyable because it focused on a wide variety of topics. The teacher, Ms. Whaley, covered healthy eating, proper exercise, and we even had a day of meditation. And then there was our sexual health unit. Now, Ms. Whaley was very blunt with the class. She knew that the STDs and STIs we were learning about were sensitive topics, so she made it a point to make the sensitivity clear and let us know that we can always talk to her one-on-one. I think this really helped some quieter students get questions answered.

But again, in a similar fashion as in sixth grade, I felt like the mechanics of sex, the importance of protection, and the harm of STDs were just thrown at us. It was purely physical. We never discussed concepts like emotional cues, the importance of gender equality in relationships, and homosexuality. With such a heteronormative syllabus, I cannot imagine how out of place a young LGBTQ+ member would have felt. Reflecting on my own experiences of school taught sexual education, I realized that there must be a better way.

I came across a medium article written about a school in Canada called Georges P. Vanier Junior High School that truly teaches sexual education differently. WiseGuyz, a nonprofit based in Calgary, recently set out to reshape the way youth, especially young males, learn sex ed. By covering broader categories like the over sexualized representation of women in the media and the social concept of masculinity, these WiseGuyz are trying to tackle the problem with sex ed head on.

Students covered modules on human rights, gender, sexual health, and healthy relationships in general. Within these categories, students say topics can range from sexual violence to consent, and from LGBTQ+ relationships to homophobia. The topics are diverse and cover social ground that normal sexual education steers away from.

With such a diverse syllabus comes a lot of learning. Their hope with the program is to grow awareness for young males so they can make more educated decisions. The Calgary Sexual Health Centre claims that many cases of STD’s and STI’s happen to young boys who are not informed well enough to know to use protection during sex. The WiseGuyz know that the solution to a healthier, more sexually conscious society is information and education, and the results of the program seem to agree.

The United States also has to start making more of an effort to reshape their sexual education programs and move beyond the videos of "How to Put a Condom on a Banana" if they want to improve sexual health. If programs like WiseGuyz continue to prove themselves successful, then it’s only a matter of time before everyone else finally understands the importance of the social implications of sexual education and decides to follow suit.

Check out the original article below:

https://medium.com/bright/sex-ed-that-turns-boys-into-men-ede65ca6e263

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