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Dress

Are you really trying to say that grown men are behaving like toddlers?

To say its a woman's fault if she's raped because she was wearing revealing clothing is tantamount to saying that grown men are behaving like little children in the sweetie/toy shop who aren't mature enough to control their actions or understand that they can't always, absolutely have everything they want, when they want it. If you want to use this argument to defend male rapists, acknowledge that you are also crediting them with the maturity and self control of a child.
Secondly, putting the onus on one victime logically puts it on all - should I not carry a bag, phone or ipod on the street because otherwise it is my fault I'll be mugged?

Author: Kate, Female, Edinburgh
Date: 29/06/2010

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Absolutely Kate, its not only bad for women - but completely demeaning to men, the vast majority of whom AREN'T that stupid that they have no control what-so-ever over themselves.

Its like saying that you bought a nice car, then you did it up with fancy alloys and a great stereo so when someone walked past they just couldn't help themselves and they HAD NO CHOICE but to steal your car. So, its your own fault you were robbed because you shouldn't have dared to have a nice car or made your car any different to any other car on the street - you made it stand out and its YOUR fault you were robbed.

Totally different scenario to simply taking care of your property isn't it - changes it from just a general awareness that all people should behave relatively sensibly and not take silly risks to something much more intrusive that impacts on innocent actions that you should be able to take without being concerned about or blamed for the consequences of.

Author: Anna, Female, England
Date: 01/07/2010

The setence ' the VAST MAJORITY of whom (men) aren't that stupid they they have no control what-so-ever over themslves' kind of implies that SOME men really dont have control over wether they rape someone or not. Think its really important to note here that ALL men have control in regards to not raping someone, some choose to do it anyway. Loss of control, and any mitigating circumstaces people try to plead in regads to it (like, but she was weaing seductive underwear--During a trial in 2002 Lindsay armstrong (17yrs old) was forced by the defence to hold upthe underwear she had worn the night she was raped, She subsequently commited suicide) should NEVER be an acceptable excuse. He could stop if his mum walked in so he can sure as hell stop at any other point too. The sad fact is some choose not to.

Author: catherine, Female, scotland
Date: 03/07/2010

Good point - I suppose I meant the vast majority of men aren't so stupid that they believe they have no real control. I expressed it really badly though.

Author: Anna, Female, England
Date: 10/07/2010

Have your say

“Rape seems to be the only crime where it's seen as ok to put the victim on trial.”

Natasha, Female from Glasgow

“Short skirts don't cause rape. Rapists cause rape”

Joss, Female from Connecticut

“About time something like this was shown on TV. Hopefully it will make everyone realise there cannot be any excuse for rape - EVER.”

Helzo, Female from Renfrewshire