NationStates Jolt Archive

In Criminal Law we're going through the 'evolution' of rape laws from the 800s to now, and I was struck at how the general mistrust and hostility towards women that existed and shaped policy way back when, continued officially until only 10 years ago. (Though I highly doubt those attitudes were suddenly wiped out all at once, and no longer exist)

Going through various law reforms, and the vicious fighting back and forth, I was amazed out how those opposed to reform externalised their animosity and suddenly acted as though the people PUSHING for reform had created that animosity.

It's remarkably similar to how racists love to blame the objects of their racism for CREATING that racism. "If the Jews didn't make such a big deal about the prejudice they've faced, I wouldn't hate them. If blacks didn't make such a big deal about the racism they've endured, that until only a few decades ago was systemic, I wouldn't hate them."

"If women didn't make such a big deal about how they are disproportionately made the victims of sexual violence, I wouldn't hate them".

And so on. I see it a lot as an aboriginal activist. If only, or so it goes, I'd shut up about these issues, then there would be no animosity towards me. Ha, forget the fact that if we shut up about it, we'd still be in Residential schools, and forced to use the pass system to leave the reserve. Then again, maybe it's possible that if we had simply bided our time, never raised our voices or brought any court challenges, that the Canadian government would have rescinded its racist policies all on its own.:rolleyes:

Its easy. Most people dont care about anything that goes on outside their daily lives. When someone start to talk about uneasy subjects, they end up blaming those who bring it up, because before they knew nothing about it.

Its just like the people blaming Al Gore for Global Warming.

I can even understand that to a certain extent. Ignorance really can be bliss. It can be crushingly depressing to think about all the environmental, social and political problems that you, as an individual, are mostly helpless to solve. So hearing about how sweat-shop labour produced your clothes, when you're barely making ends meet for you and your family, can be too much to handle.

But blaming women for sexual harassment having become an actual crime...as though that is a horrible, negative thing intended to terrorise and dominate men...

Or blaming the Chinese for restitution based on the racist head tax, as though they CREATED the situation...

How DARE we be forced to face these abuses?

Where's New Mitanni when you want someone to fight with?

...

And so on. I see it a lot as an aboriginal activist. If only, or so it goes, I'd shut up about these issues, then there would be no animosity towards me. Ha, forget the fact that if we shut up about it, we'd still be in Residential schools, and forced to use the pass system to leave the reserve. Then again, maybe it's possible that if we had simply bided our time, never raised our voices or brought any court challenges, that the Canadian government would have rescinded its racist policies all on its own.:rolleyes:
I've encountered a lot of hostility from people when trying to discuss topics like rape, and a lot of it seems to be rooted in guilt. I've met a surprising number of guys who really don't like to admit the fact that they themselves have been party to rape. They have knowingly cheered on a friend who took advantage of a passed-out girl. They have joked and laughed with other guys about how they tricked or even forced a girl into sex. They say and do nothing when they know that a girl is being drugged or intoxicated because another guy (or group of guys) is planning to rape her.

It's downright scary how often I encounter guys who, at the very least, do nothing to stop such behavior. It's frightening how many guys go along with that kind of crap, and how many of them insist that they don't have a choice in the matter because they'll be ostracized or--gasp--called a fag if they don't prove their manhood by condoning rape.

People don't like being told that THEY have a measure of responsibility for such things. They don't like being told that they are supporting rape and hanging out with rapists. They don't like that word, because they don't like to admit that rape is what is going on. They like to think that it's all just sex, just harmless fun, and it sucks to have to recognize that girls and women are actual people instead of blow-up toys for boys to fuck at will.

If you want to talk about horrid policies, think of this: the Harper government is attacking women's' collective rights. They shut down the agency that helped empower women so we got the help we needed, and they scrapped the national daycare plan, which allows for women to have AFFORDABLE childcare so they can work. It's now so it's unaffordable whether they work or not.

If you want to talk about horrid policies, think of this: the Harper government is attacking women's' collective rights. They shut down the agency that helped empower women so we got the help we needed, and they scrapped the national daycare plan, which allows for women to have AFFORDABLE childcare so they can work. It's now so it's unaffordable whether they work or not.

Not just women's rights...Harper's government scrapped the whole Court Challenges process which helped to fund interveners in cases, from women's groups to civil liberties associations etc. They also cut funding for the Law Reform Commission of Canada...because it would never do to fund people who might criticise legislation.

And oh yeah, thanks Harper, for the taxable $100 per month per child that doesn't even cover 1/7th of what I pay in daycare...and because it is income, actually helps to make me ineligible for any child care subsidy.

Prick.

Millie Tant to the rescue!!!

*snip*
I feel fortunate that I've never encountered anybody that in a serious debate blames the victim.

The closest thing has been rape debates, but I feel they've stayed on the right line of things; Saying that the victim is never to blame, but women should avoid placing themselves in dangerous situations. Don't walk alone through the dark alleys at night, don't drink yourself unconciouss around only strangers etc. But it has to be repeated: Even if you do those things, even if you're "careless", it is never the fault of the victim - the blame can not be shared.
I've encountered a lot of hostility from people when trying to discuss topics like rape, and a lot of it seems to be rooted in guilt. I've met a surprising number of guys who really don't like to admit the fact that they themselves have been party to rape. They have knowingly cheered on a friend who took advantage of a passed-out girl. They have joked and laughed with other guys about how they tricked or even forced a girl into sex. They say and do nothing when they know that a girl is being drugged or intoxicated because another guy (or group of guys) is planning to rape her.

It's downright scary how often I encounter guys who, at the very least, do nothing to stop such behavior. It's frightening how many guys go along with that kind of crap, and how many of them insist that they don't have a choice in the matter because they'll be ostracized or--gasp--called a fag if they don't prove their manhood by condoning rape.

People don't like being told that THEY have a measure of responsibility for such things. They don't like being told that they are supporting rape and hanging out with rapists. They don't like that word, because they don't like to admit that rape is what is going on. They like to think that it's all just sex, just harmless fun, and it sucks to have to recognize that girls and women are actual people instead of blow-up toys for boys to fuck at will.

Those attitudes are frightening and downright criminal. Again, I feel lucky that I don't know any people who acts like that. If I did, they would be no friends of mine.

Also note that this is the popular present day western version of how to demean women.

I feel fortunate that I've never encountered anybody that in a serious debate blames the victim.

The closest thing has been rape debates, but I feel they've stayed on the right line of things; Saying that the victim is never to blame, but women should avoid placing themselves in dangerous situations. Don't walk alone through the dark alleys at night, don't drink yourself unconciouss around only strangers etc. But it has to be repeated: Even if you do those things, even if you're "careless", it is never the fault of the victim - the blame can not be shared.

One thing I love about 'rape debates' is that 'stranger rape' is exceedingly rare compared to rapes committed by people known to the victim.

Anyway.

And oh yeah, thanks Harper, for the taxable $100 per month per child that doesn't even cover 1/7th of what I pay in daycare...and because it is income, actually helps to make me ineligible for any child care subsidy.
I once saw a mathematical breakdown of the average cost of daycare, and the $100 over 12 months for one child, doesn't even give you one month of free childcare. As much as I thought the Liberals were stupid for their statement, I can see how it's a perfectly valid one. Sure it was a stupid comparison, but in retrospect, it really did highlight the extreme shortcomings and short-sightedness of the Harper government.

One thing I love about 'rape debates' is that 'stranger rape' is exceedingly rare compared to rapes committed by people known to the victim.

Anyway.

Yeah, like 80-85%? Of the reported rapes?

Attack rapes gets all of the headlines too, so it feels like they make up 80-85% - or more