Mumsnet Talk

This was suggested on a thread this week and I wanted to raise it as a serious campaign for Mumsnet. There are literally thousands of threads on MN concerning rape and sexual violence with women sharing stories and asking for support in labelling their experiences. The common theme in these threads is that many women have not spoken of their experiences in "real life" for fear of being blamed or being labelled a liar.

I think a two-prong approach to the issue is necessary: (a) an "I believe you" campaign to allow women, children and men to label their experiences without fear of being labelled a liar and (b) a campaign concerning harmful and damaging rape myths which make so many rape victims fearful of speaking about their experiences.

These are several of the threads recently on this issue:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/a1324368-10-Tips-to-Prevent-Rape#28056073

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/1324683-to-think-this-poster-is-a-heap-of-sexist-woman-blaming-SHIT

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/site_stuff/1313837-MNHQ-input-please

Am reposting the link to the Stop Rape list here as I think it sets the right tone.
I remember the I Believe You campaign being discussed a while ago. Wasn't a website set up?

I think there was discussion of it but I'm not sure how far it got.

I'm sure the "I believe you" slogan came from Leningrad. I've been using it lots on threads since it was originally mentioned because I like its simple but effective message.

here's another relevant thread

I think the small sexual assaults thread is relevant too.

Thumbs up from me, too. What happens now? (still pretty new to this.)

Thumbs up here too.

Yes please MNHQ. So, so important.

I think this is a great idea. I love the "I believe you" slogan.

Also love "I believe you". Am 100% behind this.

Again though, I haven't campaigned before? What do I need to do??

I suggested it for MNHQ to take on as a campaign they run. If you want to start campaigning now, Rape Crisis and the Fawcett Society are good places to start.

It's also worth bumping this thread on twitter and Facebook to campaign for MNHQ to take it on as a campaign,

Rape Crisis: www.rapecrisis.org.uk/volunteering1.php

Fawcett Society: www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?Pageid=5

Object: www.object.org.uk/

Yes please

All for this as a MN campaign. I am absolutely sick of seeing the perpetuation of rape myths here and elsewhere. Thank you SGM for raising this.

i'm 100% in support of this. i can't see any reason why MNHQ wouldn't be either.

Also agree. Like a lot of people, I didn't report my rape, just felt there was no chance of getting justice, and the trauma would've been too much. Also agree with being sick of all the 'don't get raped' advice. There needs to be much more education to boys.

Another yes here. Lucky to have never experienced this, but agree 100%

I'm behind this 110%

111%! [pokes tongue out at frothy]

Totally behind this. Love the "I believe you" slogan.

The rape myth buster will be more difficult I think to tackle as they are so ingrained in many people and more importantly the media. Tackling this has surely got to start at school? I also think it would be beneficial if we are to have a campaign to get RapeCrisis, Fawcett, Women's Aid and Object on board or in partnership. Can't get enough help with this tbh.

the government is still consulting on changes to PSHE until 30th November, you can submit answers to their questions here - it's interested in organisations views (I guess the MNHQ?) and individuals including parents and teachers etc, so no reason why we can't all fill it in.

There are 10 questions, you don't have to fill it all in. But question 6c) is "how do you think the statutory guidance on sexual relationships education could be simplified , especially in relation to teaching young people about sexual consent?"

So looks like a good opportunity, but we will probably need someone with more knowledge about how the current PSHE education on the topic is framed to write a proper answer.

I think "I believe you" is a great slogan.

Yes please to doing something on this.

Also a big thumbs up for "I believe you".

Yes to "I believe you", btw.