Everyday I wake to multiple stories of rape. Allegations against Bill Cosby,gang rapes at college fraternities are not isolated ,they are merely the tip of the iceberg. Rapes are epidemic and the numbers are staggering but even more frightening when you realize for multiple reasons so few are actually reported. Institutions often protect their reputations rather than the victims. In some quarters men still laugh and joke about these horrible crimes. These acts of violence must cease and it makes no difference whether the act is performed on a military base, a college dorm or anyplace else. Rape is rape, and these violent acts against women must be treated for what they are, felonies. As men we must stand with our sisters and move beyond our disgust. These victims need more than our compassion they require our political action.