I've been wanting a post like this for a while...

[raichu100.livejournal.com]

...and no one has written it, so I'm taking the initiative.

In a recent post by the_rukh there was a heated ensuing discussion about whether it's appropriate to give advice to women to help them prevent being raped. One of the things that came up repeatedly in the discussion was that whether or not the advice was appropriate (and that is NOT the focus of this post so please don't argue about that here...) it was far more important to take other measures to prevent rape, and also treat rape victims (something that wasn't focused on in the post but which surfaced a great deal in the discussion). I realized that was something that needed to be discussed, and as has been pointed out to me, this is a topic on which I know little, though I have strong opinions. So, what do you guys think?

1. What are the most important steps that should be taken to prevent rape and decrease its prevalence in our society?
2. What are the most important steps that should be taken to improve treatment for rape victims?
3. How about the justice system? What needs improvement there, and how do we make those improvements?

I want to hear from the people who know more about this and I'm hoping to learn something (or many things). I also would like to continue the effort of creating a dialogue that all people who hate rape can contribute to.

Oh, and in case I haven't emphasized this enough, LET'S AVOID TALKING ABOUT GIVING ADVICE and focus on the other parts of the equation.

Comments

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[blue-mangos.livejournal.com]

Yes, I certainly didn't take that from your words. Also, I would hope that on some woman's issues if you had a viewpoint you would feel free to share it. How can we all learn and expand our views if we are holding back out of fear? I may not agree with what you have to say but I would hope that I would respectfully share why, and I hope that others would do the same. It's the same as with any issue really.

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

I have to admit 'fear' was a bit too strong of a word (an attempt at hyperbole perhaps, my bad). No, maybe not fear but a thought at the back of my mind.

Sure I'd share my viewpoint on women's issues wherever I feel like I'm competent enough. I cannot claim to be competent enough on the issues of abortion and rape, sorry.