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From: lje@mtfmp.UUCP (L.ELSER)
Newsgroups: net.women
Subject: Re: Rape (The nature of reality)
Message-ID: <549@mtfmp.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 31-Dec-69 18:59:59 EDT
Article-I.D.: mtfmp.549
Posted: Wed Dec 31 18:59:59 1969
Date-Received: Sat, 28-Sep-85 07:29:43 EDT
References: <25100002@smu> <25100003@smu> <2569@sun.uucp> <761@masscomp.UUCP> <1652@watdcsu.UUCP> <4251@amdcad.URe: Rape (The nature of reality)
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What does David mean by "things we (women) can do
to avoid rape"??  Does he mean stay home and lock the
doors?  I find that answer totally unacceptable.

Several years ago the campus police at my school
came up with a novel way of handling the problem
of rape on campus.  When they saw a woman or a small
group of women walking after dark, they would hand
them cards that said
    "If I were a rapist, you'ld be in trouble."
Women have every right to go to the library, the
dining hall, other dorms, stores, bars, etc.
without being accosted.  Our presence on the streets
at night (or during the day) does not provoke rape.
We should not be expected to lock ourselves away or
be constantly escorted.

It is unfortunate that we ARE expected to curtail our
activities to "avoid" rape.  I take Karate in part to
learn how I can protect myself.  I will not hide like
a child from the world to "avoid" rape, but I WILL
be damn sure I can run, scream, and, if necessary, kill
to prevent rape.  This may sound unnecessarily bitchy
or paranoid, but I live in a city, I enjoy my freedom,
and I will defend myself with no more force than
I need to get away.  If that includes seriously injuring
someone who has attacked me (and, I must presume, would
not hesitate to do me harm!!) so be it.

Define your terms, please, David.  I believe that every
woman should learn self-defense, and be prepared to use it,
but NO ONE is responsible for the actions of criminals
but the criminals themselves.  

Lisa