WOMEN! Do not forget to be afraid...

[SardineQueen]

Just in case any females out in London over Christmas were going to make the mistake of relaxing and enjoying themselves, the Met are going to send messages to the mobile phones of people while they are out clubbing, to ensure that they don't forget for even one second that they are prey.

here

This stuff drives me absolutely fucking nuts. They think they're being helpful I guess - but it's counter-productive and pathetic. I understand that men are quite at risk over the party season from mugging and violence - will they be getting any messages to remind them not to let their guard down for a second and that they are fundamentally unsafe? What do you think.

GAH.

[Bonsoir]

And your point is...?

While waiting for utopia, take reasonable steps to keep yourself safe from danger.

[colditz]

What about sending texts to men say "Don't forget, if she is drunk, it is rape. If she is drugged, it is rape. If she is unconscious, it is rape. If she says no, it is rape. Only rapists rape. Don't be a rapist tonight."

Does that sound highly unlikely that they would target men and ask them nicely to JUST STOP FUCKING RAPING US?????????

[FreyaoftheNorth]

I agree with both Sardine Queen and colditz.

These things do create a climate of fear and ignore the fact that such incidents can happen to men too, whether it be sex crimes or robbery.

The article states that they will also say "They will give out safety advice, support centre and helpline numbers and will warn people that having sex with someone who is asleep or unconscious is rape."

There hasn't been nearly enough publicity to say that. And if many younger men have an attitude that's so much worse than their counterparts did 15 years ago, as articles like this one argue, then it's particularly necessary.

[JuliaScurr]

Bonsoir this type of advert actually adds to the cultural acceptance of rape as an inconvenient fact of life, like bad weather.

[SardineQueen]

My point is that these messages don't help one jot, and mean that women are encouraged to live in a state of paranoia, which is simply shitty.

If they really must do this (to make them feel like they are doing something, I sincerely doubt it will actually prevent any crime) - why not send out a general message about how getting off your tits increased your risk of being a victim of crime etc. Why concentrate on women and rape all the frigging time.

Fucking ridiculous.

[SardineQueen]

They might as well just send messages saying WOMEN BE AFRAID to everyone.

Imagine you're on the dancefloor feeling jolly cheerful possibly having consumed something mood enhancing, and you've got your eye on a hot bloke over there > and he's giving you the eye too and it's all marvellous and then you get a text saying be alert to rape

Bit of a downer, innit.

[Bonsoir]

I don't think that making people aware of risk is the same as making them afraid.

[AyeFartedOnSantasLap]

I don't understand that article. Why are they sending messages to women about what rape is? And if they are sending those messages to everyone, why is the headline about women?

I hope it is the BBC and not the Sapphire Unit that is confuzzled about this. Well, I'd rather they both weren't...

[LinusVanPelt]

I think the writers of the article and headline made the 'women' presumption. Surely these alerts will be sent to mobile phones generally.

[SardineQueen]

If it's going to everyone then why concentrate on rape?

Why not have a general message about safety?

[SardineQueen]

If the Sapphire unit are concerned about men being raped as well, have they made it clear in their messages that they are aimed at them too? Most men would look at a rape message and assume it was not for them.

Bonsoir in London there have been initiatives that show BAD THINGS happening to women. If you are standing in a tube station at 11pm with a huge picture of a woman's screaming face on the poster opposite you, it does make you feel a little nervous. Not quite so relaxed. All of these things add up drip by drip to create a general sense of unease. Most women I know "take precautions" while most men I know don't. And yet men are frequently attacked, mugged, raped even. These messages are invariably aimed at women though and it adds to a vibe of "don't let your guard down as you are prey" and "if anything happens it's probably your fault".

[Dworkin]

Agree totally with Sardine and Colditz. Women should be free to walk the streets as much as men. Without fear.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

If you're aware of a risk, aren't you a bit stupid if you're not afraid?

I'm not (just) being antagonistic, I honestly don't see how you could argue anyone isn't meant to be afraid once they've read these messages. The whole point is to make women feel afraid of rape and therefore change their behaviour in the rather dubious hope of avoiding rapists.

[ElfenorRathbone]

Oh thank goodness - because women don't know about the risk of being raped at all, do they? They aren't told from the time they first start going out, to be careful all the time they're out, to get a cab back, to make sure they stay with their freinds, in case they get raped. They're never wary on the streets after dark because they have so internalised those messages of fear, are they?

Thank goodness the police are doing something about their complete lack of awareness.

[TheRuderBarracuda]

As if I wasn't pissed off with the first link enough I stupidly clicked on one of the links to articles from 2009 below the article about Christmas and read this:

Cheshire Chief Constable Dave Whatton, the national lead on tackling rape, said alcohol tended to be a factor in a large number of rapes.

He said: "Ultimately we want to prevent rape from occurring in the first place, by arming potential victims with key advice on how to keep themselves safe.
"But we are also aware of the sad reality that many victims of rape remain silent."

All with no trace of irony. So he's surprised women don't report rapes when the focus on preventing rape is on women ultimately preventing rape by "keeping themselves safe." Ergo, any woman who is raped has not kept herself safe and therefore will either blame herself or think she will be blamed by other.

[thunderboltsandlightning]

Yes, you'd have thought it was the police's job to keep us safe and prevent crime. A mistaken notion obviously.

[xyfactor]

Completely stupid text message service from the police.
What possible good can sending a text warning about possible rape scenarios to avoid do?
Maybe a text message to everyone to watch out for everyone would be better (In relation to all crime).
Stiffer sentences for rape married with special task forces to prosecute convictions would be much better and way more effective.

[3inABIRDsnest]

The police should text everyone on their database with:

Watch out. We're watching you...'

That covers every possible situation, both victim and perpertrator, and is clearly a good use of money. When you see me as a crime prevention consultant, you'll know how I got there.

[3inABIRDsnest]

x posts xyfactor!

[ThePoorMansBeckySharp]

I really don't see the problem with this.

They are handing out leaflets reminding men that someone who is asleep or unconscious cannot consent, and reminding women not to take stupid risks when they have been drinking.

I would be extremely glad if my daughter were to receive these kinds of warnings when she is older.

[ThePoorMansBeckySharp]

Reminding women that they can take steps to keep themselves safe is NOT blaming rape victims for the love of Christ.

[SinicalSanta]

for the love of Christ, go out this christmas, have a bit of craic, and don't rape anybody!

[samandi]

The public posters of women's faces screaming are misogynistic and vile. When are we going to see posters of men being stabbed, screaming in fear, being stripped naked and humiliated? These things happen too.

[whatstheetiquette]

OP, I'm afraid I think you are being very idealistic.

The vast majority of rape is: a man raping a woman. A woman who has had a few drinks is easier to rape than one who hasn't. It seems logical to warn women out in clubs about the potential danger. Rapists rape people. Telling them not to won't make them stop. Because they are rapists. I am sure that a group of women travelling home together are safer than a woman travelling home on her own. I personally would choose to travel home in a group.

Compare it with burglary. Do you lock your doors at night or do you put a notice on your door saying "to burglars, please don't burgle" ? Of course not - you know there are burglars and you want to prevent them from burgling you as best you can.

Crime is present in our society and whilst this is the case, it is a good idea to try and prevent yourself becoming a victim of it. That does not imply that crime is the victim's fault . Why would it? Crime is the criminal's fault.

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

'Telling them not to won't make them stop.'

Sadly, we don't know if that's true or not, because no one has yet bothered to try.

Comparing it to burglary I find pretty distasteful, TBH - you don't expect your possessions to keep themselves safe; your vagina isn't like a TV. However, erm, yes, people do put up warnings to burglars. It's recommended by the police. Have you never come across security lights or signs about anti-burglar paint?