Does women way of dressing affect the possibility of sexual assault?

[Montalban]

This will be my absolute last post on this subject, since I think it’s generating more heat than light.

Statistic from the U.S. Department of Justice: 45% of rape victims are under 18, 80% are under 30.

In the population, about 25% of females are under the age of 18, and about 42% are under the age of 30. Thus, young women are twice as likely to be raped in proportion to their numbers in the population. Women over the age of 30, by contrast, are raped in numbers much smaller than their numbers in the population (58% of the female population, 20% of the rape victims).

If there were no component of physical attraction involved in rape, these statistics would not exist. I don’t think it’s beyond the pale to include provocative dress as one aspect of physical attraction.

Perhaps alcahol and drugs are involved too?

 

[deb1]

What ever side that you are on in this debate, the fact can’t be denied that if a woman dresses provocatively and is raped, the defense for her attacker can use her clothing against her.

When I was a young woman in the late eighties or nineties, there was a case of a woman who was obviously raped. The rapist even cut her hand to create fear in her and cause silence.

IF I am not mistaken he was found innocent of rape because the woman had a short lace skirt without any underwear under neath. Later he was found guilty of other rapes and went to prison.

Does any one else remember this case? It was on the news.

Sadly if you are a rape victim, the jury will judge **you **along with your attacker.

 

[perez639]

Just to give my two cents as a current college female…Its a sad thing that our culture objectifies women soooooooo much as sex objects, but I do not think it directly affects the possibility of sexual assault.

I also firmly believe this bc of personal experience. I was raped by my Marine recruiter. Dress had absolutely nothing to do with it. I believe that in the majority of cases dress really is irrelavent. A man is going to do what he is going to do if he sees a girl in a vulnerable physical or emotional state. It is about power.

In response to VociMike, if physical attraction had something to do with why he did what he did do me, what I was wearing had nothing to do with it. Always baggy sweats and tomboy attire.

Peace Be w/ you all,

Regis University Student

 

[jmcrae]

I also firmly believe this bc of personal experience. I was raped by my Marine recruiter. Dress had absolutely nothing to do with it. I believe that in the majority of cases dress really is irrelavent. A man is going to do what he is going to do if he sees a girl in a vulnerable physical or emotional state. It is about power.

Yes, exactly.

 

[inJESUS]

Here’s my last 2 cents on this thread that pertain to what the OP asked:

1-does undecent dress lead to rape ? in some cases maybe (though i never saw such a case)

2- does DECENT dress lead to rape? yes in the majority of cases the victim was decent.

Some men look at a naked woman and turn their eyes, others feel lust…it’s about HOW the man is taught to look at women.

which means that rape is man’s own problem, depending on his psychological complexes. If men where to abide by Jesus’ teachings, there would be no rape because Jesus teaches us HOW to look at other human being. Jesus did not go to the level of teaching what to cover and what to uncover…men MUST learn how to look at another human being in the first place and then decency follows as a way of self-respect to our bodies. Decency WILL NOT teach a lustful man how to look at women.

 

[glimmer]

I also firmly believe this bc of personal experience. I was raped by my Marine recruiter.

I hope you are okay now and that somebody strung that guy up! What is wrong with people?

 

[inJESUS]

I hope you are okay now and that somebody strung that guy up! What is wrong with people?

i wanted to comment on this as well but thought maybe , just maybe it will cause her pain

 

[glimmer]

I hope you are okay now and that somebody strung that guy up! What is wrong with people?

P.S. Sorry, I’ve always had a thing about wrongdoers–especially those who don’t care who they hurt.

 

[Jeanette_L]

Are we talking about rape in general, or are we talking only about specific types of rapes/rapists?

It just seems that most people here are lumping all rapes and victims into one large category and then denying that the premise could be possible because it isn’t present in all rapes. This just seems foolish to me. Especially among the women here. It just seems foolish.

Denial doesn’t make you safe. Caution does increase your chance of safety though. And you can’t be cautious if you don’t understand the danger. And even if not all victims are chosen because of a certain criteria, i.e., appearance or dress, some are, and that should be enough to raise a red flag for anyone who doesn’t want to be in that particular category of victims.

To try to deny that some women are chosen because of their look is insane. There are many serial rapist/killers who have given us a look into their evil minds and revealed these things to us. Why are people unwilling to acknowledge this? I find that in itself frightening.

I have to go back to what I said previously. I’m not talking about a woman being responsible for her rape. I think we all acknowledge that the rapist is absolutely the only one to blame for his actions. I’m talking about women being proactive in trying to *not be the one that stands out from the crowd *by her appearance, making her more susceptible to victimization by certain types of rapists.

We really don’t have to be rocket scientists to understand this, do we?:whacky:

 

[inJESUS]

you are right Jeanette…we just can’t put all rape under one category. Decency can cause rape, and indecency can cause rape…depends on the rapist’s psychology/intention.

 

[Pug]

I’m talking about women being proactive in trying to *not be the one that stands out from the crowd *by her appearance, making her more susceptible to victimization by certain types of rapists.

The studies that I have seen about rape do not talk about the clothing of the victim. If one rapist likes to rape brunettes, so you dye your hair blonde, what if another rapist likes blondes? Unless you know that the majority of rapists in your area are one way, how do you know which way to go on the dressing front? I think some people would be more likely to rape a size 14 dumpy dresser than a sharply dressed size 5. If you are trying to be proactive, which way are you supposed to go if the studies don’t say what is preferred by rapists?

Maybe the smartest move would be to dress over 40, since that group is less likely to get raped? Even so, there have been no studies to show that this would help. For all I know, it could hurt by increasing the frump factor. Frumps may be perceived as vulnerable, and might be desireable targets for rapists.

 

[Jeanette_L]

The studies that I have seen about rape do not talk about the clothing of the victim. If one rapist likes to rape brunettes, so you dye your hair blonde, what if another rapist likes blondes? Unless you know that the majority of rapists in your area are one way, how do you know which way to go on the dressing front? I think some people would be more likely to rape a size 14 dumpy dresser than a sharply dressed size 5. If you are trying to be proactive, which way are you supposed to go if the studies don’t say what is preferred by rapists?

Maybe the smartest move would be to dress over 40, since that group is less likely to get raped? Even so, there have been no studies to show that this would help. For all I know, it could hurt by increasing the frump factor. Frumps may be perceived as vulnerable, and might be desireable targets for rapists.

You know, I understand the obsession with studies, we live and breath by them, sometimes to our demise. But they don’t always reflect reality. And your reaction is a bit extreme. The frump factor? This isn’t a joke, it’s really not. And I know what I’m talking about, I really do. The real world isn’t as neat and predictable as “studies” would have us all believe.

Until you’ve been in the trenches and talked to a lot of rape victims, (not just passed out data forms and crunched numbers), sympathized, consoled, cried with…, you don’t understand how a little bit of prevention can keep a woman’s life from possibly being ruined.

I’m just saying that women can be a little smarter in the way they live life. Our society would have you believe otherwise, for some ungodly reason. They’re not doing us any favors.

And people, I’m not talking about all rapes!!! I know that there are many different types of offenders and victims!!!

 

[Stu]

Jeanette L,

I’m with you on your sentiments in being thoughtful in terms of dress and such. Certainly the only one to blame for a crime is the perp, but in everything we do there are steps and precautions we should take in order not to “stick out” or portray ourselves as a potential victim. That’s just good street smarts. No need to be the only one with your head up, when everyone else is looking down.

 

[glimmer]

Maybe the smartest move would be to dress over 40, since that group is less likely to get raped?

I doubt it’s as much the appearance of the over 40s as the vulnerability factor. The stats went up again in my town for over 70s. People are nuts.

However, some important points have been made about vulnerability on this thread. I concluded some years ago that if I were an international rapist, I would choose the USA to do my dirty work. It’s less congested here than in Europe or Asia, there are more open spaces, and more women run around by themselves at night (voluntarily, even). Many women have to work menial jobs at low pay and some have to walk home in the dark. Don’t laugh…I’ve seen this. Women are also very independent here, and that is a bull’s-eye painted on their backs right there. They are *really *easy to get alone and to catch off guard. Oh, yeah…and the apprehension rate of criminals is the lowest here for developed nations.

 

[Montalban]

What ever side that you are on in this debate, the fact can’t be denied that if a woman dresses provocatively and is raped, the defense for her attacker can use her clothing against her.

Except in jurisdictions where there’s appropriate “rape shield” laws.

When I was a young woman in the late eighties or nineties, there was a case of a woman who was obviously raped. The rapist even cut her hand to create fear in her and cause silence.

And her clothing suggested that this should happen?

What type of clothing would she have had to wear for him to tatoo her bum?

 

[deb1]

Except in jurisdictions where there’s appropriate “rape shield” laws.
And her clothing suggested that this should happen?

What type of clothing would she have had to wear for him to tatoo her bum?

You are misreading my post Montalban. I am not suggesting that the type of clothing leads to rape. Neither am I saying that a rapist should be found innocent because of the clothing of the victim.

I am saying the exact opposite, but I am pointing out that rape victims are very sadly judged in our society in a way in which other victims of crimes are not.

SImply because I am pointing this out does not mean that I agree with that judgement.

 

[jmcrae]

This is what I learned at Lady Beware.

To reduce the chances of becoming a rape victim:

Walk quickly and in a straight line - don’t look lost or bored - look like you have somewhere to go, with people expecting you.

Look around you and make eye contact with anyone who is following you or standing/walking very close to you. Be able to describe that person to a police officer, if necessary - meaning, make a mental note of his height, build, and the colour and kind of his clothing.

If someone is making you uncomfortable, turn to them, look them in the face and say, “Is there something I can help you with?”

If you are attacked, use your knees and elbows to get out of his grip. Don’t be afraid to BITE DOWN really hard on whatever body part of his is easiest for you to get at - his nose, his hand, or whatever. Make sure to leave a deep mark on him somewhere, for DNA comparison later.

Once you get away, run, don’t look back, and yell out FIRE!! FIRE!! as loud as you can - people will come running toward you to look at the fire, and the people running toward you will usually frighten off the attacker - if you’ve dropped your purse or other belongings, just leave them behind - and contact the police at the nearest phone.

If you think you are being followed, don’t go home. Instead, go to a convenience store or other public place where there are lots of other people around.

There was no mention of clothing or how to dress at Lady Beware.

And also, you could do all these things, and still end up getting raped, if the person is crazy, or if he can trap you somewhere that you can’t get help.

 

[fix]

Are we talking about rape in general, or are we talking only about specific types of rapes/rapists?

It just seems that most people here are lumping all rapes and victims into one large category and then denying that the premise could be possible because it isn’t present in all rapes. This just seems foolish to me. Especially among the women here. It just seems foolish.

Denial doesn’t make you safe. Caution does increase your chance of safety though. And you can’t be cautious if you don’t understand the danger. And even if not all victims are chosen because of a certain criteria, i.e., appearance or dress, some are, and that should be enough to raise a red flag for anyone who doesn’t want to be in that particular category of victims.

To try to deny that some women are chosen because of their look is insane. There are many serial rapist/killers who have given us a look into their evil minds and revealed these things to us. Why are people unwilling to acknowledge this? I find that in itself frightening.

I have to go back to what I said previously. I’m not talking about a woman being responsible for her rape. I think we all acknowledge that the rapist is absolutely the only one to blame for his actions. I’m talking about women being proactive in trying to *not be the one that stands out from the crowd *by her appearance, making her more susceptible to victimization by certain types of rapists.

We really don’t have to be rocket scientists to understand this, do we?:whacky:

Your posts have make perfect sense, they are just contrary to popular opinion which seems to be influenced by psychological studies. The mantra is always that rape is exclusively about power and the other variables like you mention are dismissed out of hand. Why? Because they are illegitimate? No, I think because it is such an emotional topic that a fair airing is almost impossible. Immediately the defensive stance is to claim anyone denying the usual things about power is to equate the attack with blaming the victim. I can’t follow it.

Can’t each case be different?

Here is an opposing view from some women:

… If it is someone else’s fault that our young girls are snatched and assaulted, then it is someone else’s fault that our cars are stolen when we leave the keys in and the doors unlocked in a public place. Everyone with an ounce of sense will do what they can to protect their cars and not leave them open. You never hear anyone say, “I should be allowed to leave my car unlocked, and if someone steals it, that’s their fault!” We understand this in the realm of cars and material possessions, but why don’t we understand it in relation to our daughters?..

ladiesagainstfeminism.com/artman/publish/article_1208.shtml

 

[jmcrae]

Fix;

But the thing is, even if you dress in a potato sack, you are not going to be any safer.

The things that make women safer are more aggressive behaviour and more awareness of their surroundings. Even dressed in a potato sack, if you wander along the street lost in your own little world, you are still more likely to be a rape victim than someone dressed for a night out at the club, but walking quickly in a straight line, looking around, talking to people, and fully aware of her surroundings.

 

[deb1]

…** If it is someone else’s fault that our young girls are snatched and assaulted, then it is someone else’s fault that our cars are stolen when we leave the keys in and the doors unlocked in a public place. Everyone with an ounce of sense will do what they can to protect their cars and not leave them open. You never hear anyone say, “I should be allowed to leave my car unlocked, and if someone steals it, that’s their fault!” We understand this in the realm of cars and material possessions, but why don’t we understand it in relation to our daughters?..**

There is a difference between the way people judge rape victims and the way people judge a careless motorist.

If you leave the keys in your car, no one is going to suggest that you deserved to have your car stolen. The robber will be laughed at if he claims that you secretly wanted your car robbed. No court in the country will allow the robber to use the defense that you were asking for your car to be robbed or that the robber couldn’t control himself because the keys were left in the car and he/she just had to rob that car.

So yes, it is someone else’s fault if your car is robbed despite the fact that you left the key in the ignition.