The book takes place in the late 80s, so what would be considered rape now is not treated as such. It is mentioned that a character's brother drugs girls and rapes them. He faces no consequences for his actions even when caught because he "comes from a good family". A coach lectures female students that they should not get drunk because they put themselves at risk, and states they are responsible for protecting themselves by protecting "their most valuable gift". It is implied that multiple girls have been raped while drunk and that it is their fault. A twelfth grade boy is only attracted to girls that are younger than him and sniffs his little sisters underwear.