Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site ulose.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!prls!amdimage!amdcad!decwrl!decvax!ulose!bob From: bob@ulose.UUCP ( Bob Bismuth ) Newsgroups: net.women Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re RAPE, etc.../ "provocative" dress Message-ID: <114@ulose.UUCP> Date: Wed, 7-Aug-85 11:35:10 EDT Article-I.D.: ulose.114 Posted: Wed Aug 7 11:35:10 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 11-Aug-85 04:12:51 EDT References: <3014@hplabsb.UUCP> <568@hou2g.UUCP> <1656@mnetor.UUCP> Organization: CADMUS Computer Systems, Lowell, MA. Lines: 103 <---------------------- provided for line goblers -------------------------> Let me preface this posting by stating that these views are mine alone and, being personal, they may seem somewhat extreme and provocative. Flames are not intentional and I respect the opinions of others. I realize that this discussion has been going on for a while, so please excuse any repetitions. Rape is a violent crime. Seldom have I been in contact with women, men, or children, who have been raped in a way that is "clean" or which has occured very quickly. For all victims whom I have met, it is a violation of their personal existence for the rest of their lives. At least for those that survived. It is not usually confined to just a sexual assault, but frequently involves a great deal of sadistic brutality. The damage to an individual is more than physical. I have heard it described as dying each time one is touched by a man. It seems a worse crime than the murder it frequently ends in. If you don't believe this, try helping to support the family of a young woman who was raped and murdered. Whether the victim lives or not, the crime lives on in all cases of its occurence - it is emotionally harder to deal with than murder. It is a crime performed by men. At times it makes me ashamed to be male. Sympathy and understanding for a rapist? I have none to give - I have tried. I can find no excusable reason for this crime. Rapists have been extensively studied. For those who believe in the "provocative clothing" placebo, there is much available to explain that rapists are not locked away without study and trial. In fact, a rapist can be quite difficult to lock away - rape must be one of the easiest brutal crimes to escape punishment for. It has only been since our collective social consciousness was raised that convictions have been occuring without first trying the moral character of the victim, and then insisting on an "independent witness". Does locking away "cure" a "sexual offender" (that nice legal description)? No, not usually - most rapists rape again once out. Sometimes though it works via the death of the rapist, but usually only when they are not placed in solitary confinement. In case netters are unaware, "sexual offenders" are generally placed in solitary and isolated from other inmates to "protect them". A sadistic rapist or child molester would not survive a stretch in a communal area. Of course, that doesn't isolate them from the "screws" (prison guards)... Result? A "sexual offender" leaves prison after being beaten and possibly "raped". That doesn't cure them, on the contrary, they generally rape/attack/brutalize an "available" women - someone who is possibly weaker than they are and a representative of the "class" that is oppressing their freedom to demonstrate their masculinity and demark their male territory. Of course, I expect people will draw exceptions to points I have made above - there are always exceptions. I doubt many women will draw such exceptions. So, this has turned out longer than I thought it would, but, what can we do? Those who don't think of this crime as serious, or who believe in the "provocative clothing" nonsense, should start reading. Susan Brownmiller's book "Against Our Will" is excellent. Also, for those who think they can really take it, Andrea Dworkin's "Women Hating" is worth it. I'd also recommend "The Facts of Rape" by Barbara Toner. As has been pointed out in other replies, there is a good lot one can read and rather than list everything I know about, I'd suggest contacting your local Crisis/Rape support or women's group. After reading and realizing, get involved. Help a support group. They need all sorts of help from just driving people around to counselling and giving talks to local organizations. Most groups provide support for a variety of situations, including rape, domestic violence, child abuse, etc. There is plenty that even men can help with. The final point is, if you see a rape occuring, DO SOMETHING. A lot of people don't - they just walk away. DO SOMETHING TO HELP. Call the police, shout or make noise in anyway you can - most rapists don't like publicity given to their performance. Despite their desire to have power and control over another human being, they don't like the spotlight shining on them in their moment of "glory". If you lasted this far, then a final thought: I've stressed the crimes one reads and hears of in the press. Most rapes don't happen on the streets, they happen in houses, apartments and, more often than most think, in schools. Women are most frequently the target, but children come a close second. For those who believe its just the clothes they wear, tell me, what can a 6 or 4 year old young woman wear that provokes her father, teacher or councellor into a sexual attack? Unfortunately, a lot happens in the world. Fortunately, the press never gets around to sensationalizing most of it - while they don't like spotlights during the event, attackers certainly like reading about their exploits and those of others. -- bob (decvax!ulose!bob)