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Being Prepared
First of all, let me preface this by saying rape is NEVER okay.
Nevertheless, as women, we do have to protect ourselves. There are sick bastards out there, and we have to do everything we can to prevent an attack from occurring. In my case, that involves dressing more conservatively so as not to draw attention to myself. It's true that, no matter what I was wearing, a rape would not be my fault. However, I don't want to suffer that ordeal. The best way to lower the incidence of rape is to make the punishment for the attacker as abhorrent as the act he or she committed. A short skirt may not justify rape, but there's no reason to risk it.
Author: Cassidy, Female, USA
Date: 19/05/2011
Replies to this post
While I identify with some of what you're saying, I think that you're missing the point a bit. Like you, I have sometimes based decisions about what I wear or where I go on fear of sexual assault. The point of this ad isn't that our fears aren't real; it's that it's wrong that we have to have them. It's bad enough that so many of us experience sexual violence, but what's worse is that in addition to being abused by rapists we have to suffer a society that tells us that we are responsible for planning our lives around the possibility of future attacks. Dressing more conservatively may make you feel more comfortable, but it does not solve the problem. In fact, many rape victims are not dressed provocatively at the time of their attack. When you suggest this as a solution, you promote the myth that rape is caused by women who wear sexy clothes. Rather than suggesting non-solutions like this one, I encourage you to be brave enough to demand a society in which women are safe no matter what they are wearing.
Author: Elise, Female, USA
Date: 11/08/2011
I agree with Elise. While it may make you feel safer to dress conservatively, you are not actually solving the problem. By dressing less provocatively in order to avoid sexual assault, you are perpetuating the belief that women need to learn how to survive in a rape culture, rather than fix the society that we live in.
By dressing less like a "slut" to keep people from judging you, is just another way society (especially men), likes to keep us women in check. So why give men the satisfaction? Dress sexy for you, not a guy in a bar.
Author: Melissa, Female, USA
Date: 09/11/2011
Rape doesn't have to happen.
The best way to prevent rape?
People shouldn't rape.
Everyone thinks, "Oh, yeah, rape is sad, it's awful, but it's an ugly thing we have to deal with." I don't see why. Society shouldn't treat it like it's normal, and I shouldn't have to spend my time and freedoms on something that isn't my fault or responsibility.
Author: Rhiannon, Female, USA
Date: 09/11/2011
Have your say
Natasha, Female from Glasgow“Rape seems to be the only crime where it's seen as ok to put the victim on trial.”
Joss, Female from Connecticut“Short skirts don't cause rape. Rapists cause rape”
Helzo, Female from Renfrewshire“About time something like this was shown on TV. Hopefully it will make everyone realise there cannot be any excuse for rape - EVER.”