An argument in favour of teetotalism

[the0lady]

 
According to an Ipsos Mori poll commissioned by the Home Office, a rape victim who has been drinking should be held responsible for her rape - or so think 11% of respondents. A further 25% think that she should be held "partially responsible".

So, ladies, don't drink. Because a full 36% of your fellow country-people - that's over a third -

Comments

[creases]

This is an absolutely inexcusable thing for people to think.

BUT,

There are some behaviors that are under women's control that put them at risk.

Is there a correlation between a country's incidence of rape, and its incidence of problems related to substance abuse?

It's wrong to interpret this as a blameworthy fault on women's part. But it is a reason not to take unnecessary risks, right?

This coming from a non-drinker, for what that's worth.

[the0lady]

The risks are only risky in the first place because men rape.

If men didn't rape, having a drink would not be an unnecessary risk.

If men didn't rape, wearing a particular kind of clothing would not be an unnecessary risk.

If men didn't rape, talking and smiling to them in public would not be an unnecessary risk.

The risks, I agree, are unecessary. It is unecessary that they should be risks.

[creases]

I dunno, I guess I can't really answer that.

You hold that women should be able to drink without fearing rape.

That's true. But I don't think people should drink anyway. That puts it in a different category from clothing, for me. That may be my hang-up.

Certainly, I think the fact that rape does occur, IS an argument in favor of teetotalism.

[artela]

If you think that it is an argument in favour of teetotalism the parallel in clothing *is* that all women should wear something like a burkha or be locked away lest men should accidentally glance at them, because poor dears, they just can't help themselves can they.

I don't buy either argument - there are enough _decent_ men out there to show the rapists up for what they are - aberrant and abhorrent.

[blearyboy]

Dude, what kind of meetings have you been going to recently?

[the0lady]

The usual kind, where I'm the only woman in a room full of men.

[ailbhe]

I'm kind of impressed he left the room alive.

[the0lady]

Well I'm bloody not. He got to behave like an asshole, and I'm the one left feeling bad about it. It's pathetic. I spent half the time thinking that I should say something, but just couldn't bring myself to. Urgh!

[viking_nitro]

most rapes occur inside the home, very few women are subject to stranger rape. infact having worked with many many women and men* who have been raped, the only stranger rapes i have come across have been against men

[the0lady]

-- "rape is an evil and violent crime, and you will struggle to find anyone who disagrees with that view

[biascut]

rape has almost nothing to do with sex or lust. its about power

I know what that is trying to say - that women don't get raped because they're too attractive for men to resist - but the idea that you can separate sex and power like that always bugs me. Since when was sex not about power - the power to attract, to fascinate, to physically dominate, to trust, to explore boundaries, power over one's own body and the power to consent - and so on and so forth

[the0lady]

Welcome! I'm always happy to have intelligent people writing insightful comments on my journal

[ebren]

Sin Fest

[the0lady]

*chortle*

Gee, Sin Fest... Sure takes me back...