Women blamed ....for rape
 

And they wonder why so few ever report it with attitudes like this outragious judgment just hope it never never happens to the people in this stupid survey on how ignorant & damaging it is!!! It wrecks the victims & their families lives!!

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21112005/34...ame-raped.html

Women 'get blame for being raped'

http://eur.i1.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/i/uk/ne/palog.gif Monday November 21, 08:02 AM

A third of people in the UK believe a woman is partially or completely to blame for being raped if she has behaved in a flirtatious manner, according to "shocking" research.
More than a quarter also believe a woman is at least partly responsible for being raped if she wears sexy or revealing clothing, or is drunk, the ICM study found. One in five thinks a woman is partly to blame if it is known she has many sexual partners, while more than a third believe she is responsible to some degree if she has clearly failed to say "no" to the man.

In each of these scenarios a slightly greater proportion of men than women held these views - except when it came to being drunk, when it was equal. In fact, more women (5%) than men (3%) thought a woman was "totally responsible" for being raped if she was intoxicated.
Support groups described the findings as "alarming" and "appalling".
The national charity Victim Support urged criminal justice professionals and healthcare workers to "consider how best to educate people about the terrible impact of rape, with a view to changing these attitudes."
The opinion poll, commissioned by Amnesty International, also revealed that the vast majority of the British population has no idea how many women are raped every year in the UK.
Almost all, 96%, of respondents said they either did not know the true extent of rape or thought it was far lower than the true figure.
Only 4% even thought the number of women raped exceeded 10,000. The number of recorded rapes in 2004/5 was more than 12,000 and the 2001 British Crime Survey estimated that just 15% of rapes come to the attention of the police. Amnesty International UK director Kate Allen said the poll, part of its Stop Violence Against Women campaign, had uncovered "disturbing attitudes".

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I heard about this on the radio yesterday, and even brought it into the thread about the death penalty.

The findings are very disturbing.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I agree that it is very disturbing. Nobody would judge a man who had had a few sexual partners if he was raped. Likewise nobody would say that he'd asked for it if he was intoxicated or had been flirting.

Imagine the scenario....... A high court judge is walking home from his private club after a night out with the boys. He has had several whiskies and is obviously intoxicated. He pulls out his mobile phone to make a call and is attacked from behind and robbed.

Who's fault is it???
Has he asked for it???

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Please pay attention to detail!!!!!!

Obviously it is the womens fault!

If she didn't exist or didn't happen to be in the place at the same time as the potential rapist this would not have happened.

Who else can be blamed? It can't possibly have been the blokes fault, she's living and breathing DOESN'T THAT MAKE HER FAIR GAME?

Well actually no, if I shop lift it is because I want to shoplift!
If I steal a car it is because I want to steal a car!
If I rape and physically abuse a woman it is because I, and no one else wanted to do it!

Sex is a very perculiar thing, we all often want it but if you can't or won't control your base instincts then I'm afraid you are lower than alot of animals, I like most if not, all men would like to father the world, however I like most most men consider this to be just a little bit over-ambitious.

That is why most of the time most of the women can walk the streets in relative safety!

However there are some men that can't understand this, they are the danger, not women that have been drinking, wear short skirts or didn't quite say no in the right language (a knee to the groin I believe gets the message across, though I'm happy to say it hasn't been needed for me yet!).

No matter how many surveys they do, and no matter how much she might appear to want it, there is no excuse for raping a woman!

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

It would seem that if this is a true reflection of peoples attitude to this kind of crime, then society is in a far worse predicament then people seem to think.

In the case of rape I do not think that it is simple to rememdy with harsher prison sentances etc. (Though this would not go a miss).

I believe that the heart of the problem rests with the legal system and the attitudes of those with in it.

I have no idea as to the actual figures of convictions for this crime but from what I can remember of past articles on the subject it is a notoriously difficult crime for which to gain a conviction. Partially due to it being difficult to prove (which is perhaps a more resonable reason) though more worryingly as a result of the attitude towards the crime held by certain members of the legal system.

There was a case some years ago, (the name of the judge I can not remember though some on here may) where a young girl was raped. The case was dismissed because the judge in question described the girl as being (no angel). I can remember the judges comments as I was so shocked by them.

Perhaps someone can remember his name!

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I agree so much with the strong apposing of this survey opinions here, & even worse if a family member aka sister, mother & wife then the real horror is your worse nitemare thing is you see it on the news but cant beleive it could happen to one of your own ....unfortunately it does:(

Myths of this survey that what a women wears reflects her fate is totally unfounded & bears no relation, some men dont understand the word NO! & that alot of attacks are violently meditated with weapons used & no pubs, drink etc again bears no weight, there is no standard thing day or night!

This survey does not bear any details nor respect the fact that men can be raped by men also, maybe rarer but still happens....but how much of that is under reported. Marital rape happens yet tho being a wife its your duty would be there preferred reasoning, yet again its still rape & no should mean no altho this is the most hardest thing to report & to get justice for in courts as harder to prove but if its not mutually consentual its still RAPE! The biggest increase is date rape & drug rape via retinol or simular substances being very difficult to report right away.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I have a daughter and would hate to think that when she is older on out on the town some drugged up pye eyed guy with more testoserone than an elephant in musk thinks he can attack her because of the way she dressed. Women like men should be allowed to dress how they please and go out on the town in safety. Just because the have a short skirt on and a close fitting top dosnt make them any diffrent from guys in tight jeans and tea shirt. Both are dressing how they want and does not make them a target. Besides most men if attacked and asaulted by a woman or a woman's gang wouldnt report it.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

on the news last night it showed a line of girls walking down the street,one girl had all her bum showing and even flashed a bit more flesh to the camerman...
she is certainly taking one hell of a risk.espeically when there are perverts like gary glitter on the loose...

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Women who have suffered the hurt and humiliation of being raped are usually left questioning themselves of "why me? What did I do?" without these stupid statistics reaffirming that in their own heads they were in some way to blame!

Though violent rape is most shocking and reported in the media, the truth is most rape is committed by someone known to the victim which makes the degradation even worse.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

The thing that worries me & is soooo damaging is that this could send a message out to potential victims into not reporting it at all, & those that have should be praised & commended for standing up to this evil depraved people as it takes a huge amount of courage by shed loads to go throught the justice system often going through that night all over again & facing the defendant again also to be visciously cross examined by his defence lawyers!!

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

It's a vicious circle though, many victims feel they must have been to blame so don't report it.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

i think there should be stronger punishment for rape but i also think women who cry rape get off too lightly especialy as the man who she accuses life ends up ruined and once labled a rapist it sticks with them for ever despite been innocent

women who cry rape to try covering up one night stands or pregnancys to their parents etc are just as much to blame as peopel who come out with stupid comments like she was begging for it coz she was dressed sexy

edit:

also anyone caught in possesion of the date rape drug should be given 20 years automaticly as its pretty obvious why it is in their possesion unless of course they are a vet and it is in the vet clinic

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Yeh Chav worst kind are cry wolfers they should be made to shadow a domestic violence officer or be ordered to do community service at rape crisis centres so they can see the real horror & what their actions of wasting resourses that a real victim needs most causes!!

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I do agree chav, it's unfair that someone who is accused of rape is named before any verdict it given.

Any women who falsely accuses a man of rape should serve a custodial sentence in a mental health institution.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

How often are those that cry wolf have their names protected?

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Let's get one thing clear. RAPE IS NOT A SEX CRIME. IT IS A CRIME OF VIOLENCE.

It has little or nothing to do with sex. It has everything to do with some inadequate pervert imposing his will on another human being. It is the element of force which turns on the rapist - the majority of those convicted of raping a stranger or virtual stranger cannot function without the element of force. Therefore what a woman wears or doesn't wear has virtually nothing to do with the act. Being drunk renders a woman more vulnerable, obviously, since she is less able to avoid/fight back when something happens.

I do believe that there is a point beyond which a woman should NOT say no in an amorous situation. You cannot lead a man on and then expect him to stop abruptly, although apparently most men are decent enough to do so. That is an entirely different scenario.

Rape is an appalling crime, in 99.99% of cases committed by men against women. Perhaps those men who think that women ask for it by the way they dress should ask themselves how they would feel if their tight trousers turned on some guy to the extent that he felt compelled to rape them? Works both ways, chaps.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

The victims that don't report the crime by far outweigh those that cry wolf! :(

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Its a power thing men over women. Yes it is a violent crime. Yes most men will say no. And yes those guys in tight jeans wouldnt be happy. Unfortunately we live in an era when the law is weak and do gooders rule the roost so at present their is no deterrent for this hainus act.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I think the problem is that rape is usually an act with only two people involved - because of that there are two sides to the story and because of that in some instances it is impossible to decide who is telling the truth.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Hang on a minute chaps. The quote at the top says

This means that 5% of women and 3% of men are sick in the head, and 95% of women and 97% of men didn't think a woman was "totally responsible" for being raped if she was intoxicated.

I always take reports like this with a pinch of salt - you have to read between the lines a lot of the time, and it is 'disturbing findings' that make the news, and the numbers are fiddled to try and highlight this fact.

That said, there is still no excuse for it. If a man rapes a woman, he should be castrated. He wouldn't do it again, and it would act as a deterrent for those who might think about it

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Without an anesthetic I take it?

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Of course no anesthetic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

No - give them a local, then make them watch while their bits are cut off. If they are in pain they will be writhing around with their eyes shut.

Make them watch

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

then make them eat them

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

awww thats sooo evil! ..... It would only be fair to barbeque their bits on a naked flame before removing them, to make it easier to swallow ;)

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

With or without sauce? :)

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Oh I can't see why they couldn't have tabasco sauce poured all over the fresh burns :D

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Sadly as other people have pointed out, rape is primarily about power rather than sex. Chemically castrated rapists have gone on to reoffend, with objects replacing their sad little dicks.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Sadistic but a good idea. ;)

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I past comment in A-Bs thread that I felt that in the case of murder the choice of “Twelve Good Men” may be an ideal that has past into history, as with the case for the death sentence I feel that a panel of Judges might be more appropriate for the consideration and sentencing of Rape cases. A profession jury is less likely to react emotively and act appropriately in the interest of the public. I do believe that Rape cases should be conducted in a manner where the perpetrator and victim should be given anonymity until all the evidence is available and the investigation is complete. I believe that to give a man’s or woman’s name to the public prior to a conviction being made is in itself a crime.

A man or woman falsely accused face a life of ruin irrespective of the eventual outcome, by the same token any male or female falsely accusing another person of rape should know that they will face prosecution and a custodial sentence for there maliciousness. Although I think it’s wrong to blame a victim for the actions of another I do believe that when an individual is shown to have actively encouraged the sexual attentions of another that they must face their responsibility for their own actions and this should be taken into consideration when sentencing the perpetrator.

In regard to the dressing provocatively and the rest of it, well I think that as gone on since we wore animal skins, that said we should all take appropriate action to insure our own welfare and safety when we are going out, either alone or with friends.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I'm not setting to argue with you again, honest, but I do strongly disagree with that. Rape can also occur in marriage or a relationship. Sexual history should not be a factor.

If a person says no, it should be respected. The defence that she, or he, was asking for it, is no defence in my eyes.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Here here Garinda!!!! absolutely :cool:

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Do not twist my words or intentions on a subject like this. My statement was that if an individual “irrespective of Sex” deliberately enticed or encouraged the attentions of a perpetrator they must bare some responsibility for their own actions.

I totally agree that "No means No" and that any individual who take that final step should be prosecuted and severely punished.

One final word, Clever editing of another persons post to highlite your own argument is a little tiresome.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Rape is rape no if buts whens whys or wheres it is a cowardly act that is not punnished seriously enough!!

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Please Doug, humour me for the moment by explaining?

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Oh do shut up. That was a direct quote. I could have quoted it all. A lot of what you said I found dubious.

Talk about freakin' paranoia.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I refer you to my last post........

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Yes it is legally rape, and im my view morally rape. No matter if the woman, or man, has a sexual history with the accused person, if that person says no, and intercourse is forced upon them that is rape.
Sorry if that offends you.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I think what I said was “Although I think it’s wrong to blame a victim for the actions of another I do believe that when an individual is shown to have actively encouraged the sexual attentions of another that they must face their responsibility for their own actions and this should be taken into consideration when sentencing the perpetrator.” This means that although the perpetrator “Must Be Punished” for his or her crime, if the victim actively encouraged the perpetrator to believe that consent was given then the victim should be made aware that there actions had a bearing on the outcome.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

That is one of the "grey areas" that needs addressing. Unfortunately there are some how were that plastered that whatever happened is going to make them cringe and therefore they will infer they were raped. If they are in a state of serious intoxication you would think a friend would get them home safe. Being full of drink should never be an excuse for any action.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

'Indulges' in sexual acts is consensual not rape!

Rape is were the person (regardless of intoxication) says 'NO'!!

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Off thread I know, sorry.

Our very own Stan, the dirty pervert monkey, was on a repeated the Weakest Link, again tonight.


He was laughing and joking with Anne, as he won over three grand. This was before he was found guilty of a sexual assualt against an underage girl.

I BET HIS VICTIMS WEREN'T LAUGHING.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Wouldnt say it was of thread. The child was lucky it could have gone further and like rape it was a sexual crime.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

No Doug that is not rape.

I think everyone knows what rape is. It is none consensual sexual intercourse!

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Hurrah, we agree on something.

From the above example, no that is not rape, and it would be a false accusation.

I also believe that as well as the victim, the accused should have the same anonymity, or they should both be named. It would lessen the cases of false accusations, thus making the real rape victims less open to a suspicion jury.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I think the point Doug is making is that if someone is full of drink and agree to consensual sex, then what if they cannot remember agreeing to consensual sex the morning after.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I don’t disagree with you Tinks. What I am saying is that not all cases are clear cut and often individual can be falsely accused of rape after the event, and yes No means No, in my book too and when some say’s no it should be respected without regard to the circumstances in which it came about….consensual or otherwise.

I do feel that this is a very serious and emotive issue and we should be open to deepening this discussion without resorting to the normal back biting and miss quoting of posts. Fare and open discussion is the only way forward……

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I would refer you back to my oringinal post............

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

It is a grey area, and it would be up to a court to decide who they believed.

The fact that she may have dropped her drawers, after leaving a bar to have a pee up a back alley, shouldn't be used as an invitation for any passing sicko to think that she wanted to be raped though, which is the impression inplied to me in earlier posts.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Whooh, your just like an extra on Crown Court.;)

I do keep finding myself to your earlier posts, and I still find what you said very disturbing.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

if waking up next to someone after drinking alchol and wishing you hadnt had sex with them is rape then ive been raped quite a lot :(

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

YOU SLUT !!! :D

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Time and a place for humour Chav.:(

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

yeah about 20 seconds after you dared me to sound about right to me :p

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I like everyone else find this latest report to be disturbing, but I also feel that the moral standards set by today’s society is partially responsible for those some of those view which where expressed, when we see drunken louts exposing themselves on the streets I feel that we are slipping further into the mire, we have to show that this form of abuse of power over another “which is what rape is” is unacceptable and should be severely punished. Those that falsify allegations of rape should also be punished to ensure that this situation doesn’t become the norm. And if it is that juries believe in those sentiments published then we should look to professional juries to make responsible decisions in the public interest.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Women should be able to do what they like. The days of covering piano legs are long gone, as are the days when women had to cover up to be 'decent'.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

i am both hurt and offended by that comment

you OAR :D

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Then go back and read it in contex. There is nothing distubing in debate and what I am saying is that if we are to see these matter in a true light then we all must act responsibly and concider all elements of the agreument

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

On the basis of whats been said and the grey area issue should those who cry rape falsely (and as in an earlier post) be named shamed and charged with an offence that would give them jail time as a certainty? As has been said the guy even though innocent is labeled for life and has had his life ruined yet there is no protection or recompense. Yes someone who is guilty could be found innocent and vice versa but could a change in the court setup change this? If it would why hasnt it been pushed through?

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Ok, I'm still drawn to the bit where you say, and I quote in full,

'Although I think it's wrong to blame a victim for the actions of another I do believe when an individual is shown to have actively encouraged the sexual attentions of another they must face the responsibility for their own actions and this should be taken into consideration when sentencing the perpetrator.'

To then go on to say provocative dress had been around since we wore animal skins, I do find disturbing.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

They do in Saudia Arabia.

Covered from head to toe, and kept locked away.

Sadly they still have rape there, usually by family members.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I have 3 sisters and heaven forbid this happened to them I would dispite my own thoughts and views would have no optoin than to let the court in whatever form follow due process and accept its verdict. At the end of the day we could argue go round in circles and run this till our dieing days but it is at present out of our hands.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Garinda Fashion/Textiles B.A. (Hons.)
I do happen to know the social implications of dress throughout the ages.;)

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

So the clothing that is worn if classed as "provocative" should meen by all means look but you cannot touch?

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Yes I do, but I still stand believe that provocative dress shouldn't be used as evidence of any consent in a rape trial. Something that could be implied from your original post.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Errrrr..................YES Spuggie!

Your not telling me that if you saw a girl with a short skirt and a low cut top, you would take it as an invitation to touch her????????

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

no but i would definatley ask if i could :D

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Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Sorry not editing your post, a direct quote.

If that is your opinion we will have to agree to disagree, rather strongly on my part.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

That was an error in writing and it should have read to mean shouldn’t. I have amended that post but I will quote it in full so that other can see the original in context.

“What I was saying is that provocative forms of dress have been with us throughout our history and shouldn’t be use in an argument that dress is associated with rape. Very few people have report rape on a nudist beach or in connection with nudism in general so in my mind the state of dress of a victim should be taken to mean that they asked for it. The rapist doesn’t necessarily think of what the victims wearing, there interested in exerting power over them and abusing the victim’s weakness.”

Anyone reading the original post would have realised my error and seen it as a mistake and not capitalised on the issued to score points.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I'm glad it was just a mistake.

Sorry didn't mean to jump on you.

Mistakes happen as I know, because I made one.........once.;)

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

This is so obviously an emotive issue and having read through the whole thread just now I think some of the "argument" has been due to misinterpretation, not only of what others have said but also of the original report..........quite possibly because people do have such strong opinions on the subject that they interpret something which doesn't completely echo their own view as somehow being a total opposite. It seems to me that there is actually more agreement than disagreement.

One of the problems is the emotive language such as "blame" and "shocking report"

OK so that means that two thirds of people think the victim is never to blame no matter what.

It also means that not all of that one third of the people questioned believe tthe woman to be fully to blame. Note that I said "people questioned" and not "people in the UK" which the report said because I'm a person in the UK and nobody asked my opinion. Who was asked?

OK so now we have less than a third who believe the woman was partly to blame. Not quite as dramatic that is it?

"More than a quarter" here is used to cover two points of the "sexy clothing" or "drunk". Note that it says "or" not "and". AND please note that it says "partly". So now we have MORE than a quarter who think "partly" so between this "more than a quarter" and "one third" how many do we actually have left who think "totally"?

I'll come back to this one.

This is the bit which really interests me "if she has clearly failed to say "no" to the man". Here we are not talking about "No" not meaning "No" and the man going ahead anyway. We are talking about a situation where a woman has failed to say "No". Not only failed but "clearly failed"

If a woman has dressed "provocatively" - which is open to interpretation because in her opinion she may have dressed "attractively" but it may be seen as provocative. If she has set out to attract the attention of men in the hope of nabbing one worth having. If she then flirts with him and encourages his attentions. If both become drunk. If they go back to her place and spend the night together and she has given out no signals which say "no" but then wakes in the morning realising that she didn't intend to go as far as intercourse and then claims he has raped her is it his fault? I would say not.

When it comes to how many sexual partners the woman has had I can't see that really has any bearing on an individual case, although if she is well known for "sleeping around" then the lads might have her already labelled as "easy" and not expect her to refuse. If she then accuses him of rape the next morning but has never accused any of the previous one night stands I can see where he might feel a bit victimised.

All of this is totally different to the situation where someone forces themselves upon a woman in a back alley or on a dark pathway and brutally attacks them. There is absolutely no excuse whatsoever in those cases whatever a person is wearing or whether or not they are drunk.

I hope that makes sense. It's very difficult to explain what I mean by typing onto a message board.

Pendy said that rape is not about sex it's about control and in many cases that is absolutely correct and it wouldn't matter to the rapist if the woman was covered from head to toe (he may even get some sort of kick from that) or stark naked. That is a different set up to one where the man honestly believes the woman was encouraging him and wanting the same thing and then finds himself labelled a criminal the next morning.

As mentioned by others, I also feel that the accused should not be named unless found guilty because there are many cases where an innocent man's life has been ruined by people continuing to mutter "no smoke without fire" even when his innocence has been totally proved.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

No it I wouldnt but some would. I respect that a women can wear the clothes shewants without implying that she is "looking for something else." Its no different than if I was wearing a kilt and a women decided to find out if I had gone commando or not. I am old fashioned in many ways and think that a woman has the right to be who she is.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

From the Amnesty press release-

ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,095 adults aged 18+ by telephone on 7-9 October 2005. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council.

I do take you point Willow. It's the glass half full or empty question. I do however find the results of the survey depressing.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Where is this depressing set of findings to be found?

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I just did a Google search for it Spug. Sorry I'd do a link but I'm a bit thick.:)

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

ICM interviewed a random sample of 1095 adults aged 18+, by telephone between 7th and 9th October 2005. Interviews were conducted across the country and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults.

http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/reviews...al%20Abuse.asp

It is an eye opener.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

We come back to the question of "What is rape?". Rape is non-consensual sexual intercourse. The key is "non-consensual". There are cases where a woman has regretted what she has done the night before, or even not remembered it, but those are thankfully few. The grandson of a friend of mine was accused of rape by a fellow-student on exactly those grounds (also due to the fact that he wanted a one-night stand and she wanted more). Fortunately she retracted her story when she realised the full consequences - he was a medical student at the time and it would have wrecked his potential career.

The biggest problem for a woman with the usual form of rape, i.e. an attack by a stranger, either in her home or outdoors, is whether or not to fight back. If you fight back, the chances are you will be badly hurt, or even killed if he is armed. If you don't fight back, the lack of injuries weakens your case. As a woman, I know that you can only be aware of the danger and hope to avoid it.

As for it being due to provocative clothing and sex appeal - what about the pervs who attack women in their 80s and rape them? I think not.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Its when these few act as they do that makes it hard for the genuine victims and life hell for the innocent ones caught up in it.

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Dont forget we are discussing much as a local issue as well as national & there have been many cases here to which im not going into detail as respect to victims & families & wish to opologise if this thread is upsetting but awarness is best defence in personal protection. I dont walk alone certainly avoid going out in the dark alone unneccessarily & im sure im not alone with this.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

You never had all these rapes going on when women knew how to beheave themselves. Yet even now, as half-naked, fully intoxicated drunken tartlets stagger home after a night of wild debauchery,incidents of strangers leaping out of the bushes then forcing their way upon thee hapless young maidens are mercifully, few & far between.
According to the stats, most victims know the men who commit the crime, be they boyfriends or friends-of-friends. it would seem to me therefore, that if women are so hung up about the possibility of this happening to them, they should take the appropriate precautions - the equivalent of wearing a seat belt in the car. Who complains about that these days? No-one.
Historically, the precaution was the use of a chaperone. It seemed to work. So girls, if you're going out on a date or even a girlie night out and you're feeling a little bit apprehensive about the guy(s) in question, then take your grandma or aunt along. Its practically guaranteed that nowt will happen.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Mmmm u dont know your facts at all Tealeaf granny's & older covered up aunts are NOT dismissed from being subjected to attacks!!!! There are some very sick people out there that dont preference the scantily clad & dont dismiss the scantily as being not brave to knee the pervs balls, besides you have to be very careful to provoke someone with a weapon!!! Even guys are subjected to such attacks so my point was being that stereotypical opinions influences are not gospel, children get preyed on, there seems to be no specific target - just that what that perv focusses on his depraved urges.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I WON'T let any perv stop me going out at night if I want to or need to. That said, I am very aware and very careful. I was advised by a friend who is a policewoman to think through possible scenarios and devise strategies to deal with and hopefully defuse situations. One or two of them are too extreme for general consumption, but I'm happy to share with any of you girls. The thinking is that if you are aware of what might happen, and plan in advance, you will be far better able to cope with such a situation if it does arise.

You cannot live your life according to the dictates of some perv who may be out there, all you can do is hope to deal with bad situations if they do arise.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

A swansea court has thrown this issue wide open again around consent when drunk. Judge directs jury to aquit because the lady in question could not remember if consent was given. This is one hell of a can of worms and is notgoing to help the real victims.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

If you get stonked and wake up with a total moron, you have only yourself to blame. I wonder how many of us could honestly say that we've never done it? Not me, for one. The way the papers are telling it, though, if you've had a few and get raped, hard luck chuck. The fault with the reported case lies with the Crown Prosecution Service - it should never have got as far as a court.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I agree with Pendy on this one. The CPS should have never let it get to court. She admitted to the police in her statement that she couldn't remember if she had given her consent or not to the security guard who walked her back home.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

The most appaling aspect of this case is the manner in which the accused had his name and picture slapped all over the papers. In spite of the verdict, there will be a cloud hanging over this young man for the rest of his life. Meanwhile,the so-called victim - a woman so drunk she simply did not know what happened - has her privacy protected by the courts. She should be named and shamed.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

I agree, both the accused and the accuser should have the same right to anonymity. This would lessen the cases of false accusations being brought, and thus help the true victims of rape.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

It shouldn't just be about anonymity, there should be a complete media embargo on rape cases for both the supposed victim and the alledged attacker until a verdict has been arrived at.

As for other points raised in this thread. It such a difficult subject - take for instance the issue of previous activities being taken into account. Is it important for all the history of both parties to be taken into account? You'd certainly want to know if the man in question had been accused of rape more than once wouldn't you, so surely you should also take into account that the woman in question has a history of one night stands or crying foul.

On the other hand why should it matter that a person has had a 100 one night stands if on the 101 they are actually raped?

What I'm trying to say is that it's incredibly hard to generalise in an argument like this when every single case is hugely different.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

It is a very grey area but when a third of the people in the Amnesty survey thought that a woman was wholly or in some way responsible for the rape if she had had a drink, it is still very disturbing.

Rape can happen to virgins and prostitutes, and both should be afforded the same judical justice.

Re: Women blamed ....for rape
 

Its that very grey area that is causing all the problems and no one seems to have the balls to tackle it. The longer it goes on the worse it will be. :(