On A Rape Myth: “Women Ask For It”

Unfortunately, there is a common rape myth that “women ask to be raped”. The implication is that women are “responsible for what happened” as a direct result of their actions. This is one of the best responses I’ve ever heard:

“[Women are responsible for their rape? Okay, here’s what you should do.] Never work at night. Never travel home from work alone. Don’t use public transportation at night. Don’t jog in the park, day or night. Don’t be young, middle-aged or elderly. Never look vulnerable. Carry mace in your left hand and brass knuckles in your right. Never mind alcohol, don’t drink ANYTHING in a bar – remember rape drugs. Don’t go to university but, if you must, don’t live in residence. Don’t be disabled. Don’t have male friends who haven’t been castrated. In fact, never have male friends at all. Don’t let your divorced mother re-marry. Don’t go to church. Never find yourself alone with your uncle, grandfather or any male family friend. If you find your country is at war, emigrate immediately. Don’t be poor. Don’t get a job. Don’t accept packages from Fedex. Never get stopped by a police officer. Don’t let fire fighters in to your burning house. Don’t have broken appliances. Don’t rent your house or apartment. Close your eyes. No, grow eyes in the back of your head. Never relax – you can’t afford to let your guard down. Don’t be alone. Don’t be with anyone either. In fact, lock yourself up tight in a concrete room with no windows and no doors – windows can be broken, locks can be jimmied.

Don’t allow yourself to be a victim!”