Eve Ensler, the woman behind “The Vagina Monologues,” had some harsh words for GOP Missouri Rep. Todd Akin about his comments on “legitimate rape” and abortion. In an open later to Akin that was published on The Huffington Post, Ensler wrote that the Missouri Senate candidate “made a very specific ignorant statement” that showed he has “no awareness of what it means to be raped.”

Aside from the fact that Ensler is a well-known feminist and women’s rights activist, what makes her perspective different from the countless others who have criticized Akin is that she herself is a rape survivor.

It should serve as a reminder to Akin that rape victims are real, and that throwing terms around like “legitimate rape” is not just ignorant, but also highly insensitive and offensive to anyone who has been sexually assaulted.

And as Ensler wrote in her letter, “you’ve just given millions of women a very good reason to make sure you never get elected again.” Indeed, he did.

— Posted by Tracy Bloom.