ext_77376 ([identity profile] hematopoetic.livejournal.com) wrote in [personal profile] unusualmusic_lj_archive 2008-01-16 08:20 am (UTC)

While the logistical reasons behind victim-based solutions (leave a relationship, learn self-defense, go places in groups, watch your drink, don't talk to strangers) and so on make sense to some degree because we usually have access to victims more than rapists in anti-rape programs (altho this varies, even when we're not talking about abuser-specific programs), I think we should always ask the question "Why is the responsibility for 'preventing' rape always on the victim? Why don't we teach rapists not to rape?"

I worked for a peer-education program where we talked about healthy relationships (as opposed to rape specifically--so we could discuss strategies for healthy arguments as well as safety plans in abusive relationships & all the usual stuff), which is a step toward reducing relationship-based violence. But the fundamental dynamics of our society encourage sexual violence and, until those are radically transformed, sexual violence will continue to predominate.

Rape is used as a tool of war, colonization, and intimidation. Rape is one way of keeping white men in power.

Post a comment in response:

This account has disabled anonymous posting.
If you don't have an account you can create one now.
HTML doesn't work in the subject.
More info about formatting