Where Sexual Assault is the Norm: The Unseen Standard Practices of an Industry

This is not a story I expect will be widely read or shared but I am going to ask that you please consider reading and sharing it if you see fit. It should go without saying based on the title of this piece, trigger warnings apply.

Like many vegans, I get Google Alerts about news items that relate to veganism. A lot of times, especially these days, the stories are really positive and uplifting. Restaurants opening, chains carrying plant-based options, trends shifting, heck, even Disney World is getting on board. Sometimes, though, a disturbing story seizes the media and for a week or two, the tabloids really mine it for everything it’s worth. This was the case recently when the story broke about a man who goes by the name “Sexy Vegan” was charged with sexually assaulting his dog. (I will not link to the story here but it is easy to find with his name.)

It is my sincere hope that, if convicted, he is sentenced to the fullest extent of the law and he is prevented from ever having an animal in his “care” again.

I was compelled to write this because while the tabloids seem to think it’s comedic, I believe that people for the most part really do care about this for the right reasons. It is upsetting and infuriating to know that an innocent animal was sexually…