The best anti-rape campaign I've seen yet, because it focuses not on what women can do to prevent themselves from being raped, but instead on mens' responsibility to not rape. Because here's the thing-- we can place onus on women forever to police their own victimization*, but men** not raping is really the only thing ever that will actually end rape.
Also-- oftentimes, our culture paints rape as something that only happens in dark alleys, by strangers, by "bad men." The fact that these examples, which happen all too commonly by "average guys" are the same damn thing is something that needs more emphasis. Because a dude pursuing an obviously drunk chick for sex? I've seen that. The "I paid, you owe me?" I've heard that. Firsthand and secondhand. I could go on.
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* On this topic-- this week, Dallas PD noted that rapes in the city were up 25%. Their solution? Women, don't drink in front of men, or have your girlfriends watch you if you do. Which-- being careful is always good advice around strangers, but if the issue is that rapes in your city are through the roof and your response is that the onus is on women to prevent their own rapes (by not doing things that men have no problem doing, no less)? You're an asshole, Police Chief Brown.
** Men specified only because men perpetrate over 95% of rapes. Yeah, women rape, too, and while that is definitely a serious issue that deserves its own discussion, it's not the same kind of systemic, institutional problem. You know, a problem which requires constant PSAs and billboard campaigns. I hate that I have to make this disclaimer pretty much every single time.
Also-- oftentimes, our culture paints rape as something that only happens in dark alleys, by strangers, by "bad men." The fact that these examples, which happen all too commonly by "average guys" are the same damn thing is something that needs more emphasis. Because a dude pursuing an obviously drunk chick for sex? I've seen that. The "I paid, you owe me?" I've heard that. Firsthand and secondhand. I could go on.
( Cut for big image.Collapse )
* On this topic-- this week, Dallas PD noted that rapes in the city were up 25%. Their solution? Women, don't drink in front of men, or have your girlfriends watch you if you do. Which-- being careful is always good advice around strangers, but if the issue is that rapes in your city are through the roof and your response is that the onus is on women to prevent their own rapes (by not doing things that men have no problem doing, no less)? You're an asshole, Police Chief Brown.
** Men specified only because men perpetrate over 95% of rapes. Yeah, women rape, too, and while that is definitely a serious issue that deserves its own discussion, it's not the same kind of systemic, institutional problem. You know, a problem which requires constant PSAs and billboard campaigns. I hate that I have to make this disclaimer pretty much every single time.
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