Here we go again, around the merry-go-round
It seems this topic comes up about once very two years on this journal. Maybe that's not enough, maybe for some it's too much. But it's important, and so I'm going to post about it.
jimhines wrote a post this morning entitled 'Rape in Fandom', in which he linked to a post by logansrogue from earlier this week, in which she addressed her rapist in a letter. She asked him not to attend her favorite SF/F Con, so she could at least look forward to attending it herself every year, as she'd been avoiding sf/f cons and gatherings since the rape, seeing as how he attends those events, too. That is, in fact, where he laid the groundwork for raping her. Because he is a predator, and yes, he thought that far ahead.
Rape can happen anytime, anywhere. Even, sadly, in fandom. A lot of people have shown logansrogue their support. As things stand now, her rapist has agreed not to attend Swancon ever again, so she at least gets that piece of her life back. If you go over there and read her post, PLEASE do not make any "helpful" suggestions of what she could/should do, such as pressing charges against him. She is doing what she can, what is right for her, and that's her right and choice.
Both post's linked above are well worth the read. Jim's has some gems I really like, that particularly pertain to SF/F Cons. For instance, a woman wearing a costume that shows off her body is not an invitation to sexually harass her. Nor is a woman drinking an indication of consent.
The first in particular resonated with me, because as a society, we often seem to place a certain blame on what a woman wears. If she shows too much skin, she was "asking for it". No, actually, she wasn't. I don't care if she paraded down the street nude. Provocative dressing up can be fun. There is something to be said for wearing a costume that you look great in, and turns heads. It shouldn't be dangerous, and it shouldn't be seen by society, by anyone, as risky behavior.
jimhines wrote a post this morning entitled 'Rape in Fandom', in which he linked to a post by logansrogue from earlier this week, in which she addressed her rapist in a letter. She asked him not to attend her favorite SF/F Con, so she could at least look forward to attending it herself every year, as she'd been avoiding sf/f cons and gatherings since the rape, seeing as how he attends those events, too. That is, in fact, where he laid the groundwork for raping her. Because he is a predator, and yes, he thought that far ahead.
Rape can happen anytime, anywhere. Even, sadly, in fandom. A lot of people have shown logansrogue their support. As things stand now, her rapist has agreed not to attend Swancon ever again, so she at least gets that piece of her life back. If you go over there and read her post, PLEASE do not make any "helpful" suggestions of what she could/should do, such as pressing charges against him. She is doing what she can, what is right for her, and that's her right and choice.
Both post's linked above are well worth the read. Jim's has some gems I really like, that particularly pertain to SF/F Cons. For instance, a woman wearing a costume that shows off her body is not an invitation to sexually harass her. Nor is a woman drinking an indication of consent.
The first in particular resonated with me, because as a society, we often seem to place a certain blame on what a woman wears. If she shows too much skin, she was "asking for it". No, actually, she wasn't. I don't care if she paraded down the street nude. Provocative dressing up can be fun. There is something to be said for wearing a costume that you look great in, and turns heads. It shouldn't be dangerous, and it shouldn't be seen by society, by anyone, as risky behavior.