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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
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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)