what is a rape apologist? what does it mean?

[bellabreeze]

I keep seeing this but no idea what it is ? Can some1 explain thanks

[OhNoMyFoot]

Basically makes excuses for them, it's always someone else's fault, if she hadn't have been wearing that, or well she had been drinking.

[HecateHarshPants]

Someone who seeks to excuse rape. Normally by finding a way to blame the victim. - she was out at night, she was drunk, they kissed so it wasn't REALLY rape. He knew her. he thought she wanted to. she was just too sexy to resist...

It is perpetuating the myth that the victim is responsible for the actions of the rapist.

[TheDoctrineOfEnnis]

Bella, MNHQ haave a We Believe You page that might be helpful background.

[TheDoctrineOfEnnis]

There is a Guardian article today which describes George Galloway (for example) as a rape denier rather than a rape apologist - i.e. one who describes a situation which accords with the legal definition of rape and then denies that such a situation is rape.

[mysteriouslady]

Prob is it's an overused term that is often fling as an insult and entrenches peoples views further.

[TheDoctrineOfEnnis]

Right ho, mysteriouslady.

[mysteriouslady]

That's my view - it's hardly a unique one.

[Technoviking]

It's a media term that means "fucking selfish idiot". They can't handle anything outside of their own blinkered, twisted view of the world so make up bollocks to fit.
Their opinions are a waste of air.

[Ambrosius]

It seems a bit nonsensical to use the word 'apologist' to me, it could imply that its to do with being sorry about rape iyswim?
Rape Denier sounds more sensible to me. or dangerous fuckwit

[Ambrosius]

Can you explain what you mean mysterious?

[mysteriouslady]

Someone who doesn't understand what the hell they are talking about, and hates the idea of rape - but posts - well I don't go out after dark - is not making apologies for the rapist - they are just indoctrinated and have no real understanding of the real issues.

In my eyes, there is a massive difference between genuinely making excuses for a rapist and a simple lack of understanding/ignorance/lack of education.

I could probably write a well researched thesis - I wouldn't want to wish our experiences on my worst enemy.

I think there are far better ways of getting through to people than using extremely offensive and emotive terms - when mostly the problem is lack of understanding.

[Ambrosius]

Someone who doesn't understand what the hell they are talking about, and hates the idea of rape - but posts - well I don't go out after dark - is not making apologies for the rapist - they are just indoctrinated and have no real understanding of the real issues - Is this what is meant by the term 'Rape Apologist' then? I thought it meant someone like George Galloway claiming that because you have consented to sex once its a carte blanche to fuck you whenever they feel like it whether you're asleep or not? Or somebody claiming that short skirts and drunkness are consent in themselves?
I'm not being sarky btw. It is a genuine question.

[mysteriouslady]

ambrosius that's why I said IMO it's an over used term - I have seen it thrown at all sorts of posters over the years - in a manner that I consider misuse of the term.

But these are just my views - other posters hold different views.

[Ambrosius]

Thanks for explaining :)

[CailinDana]

Ambrosious - "apologist" comes from the greek term "apologia" which is a speech a defendant would give to explain and excuse his crime in a trial. It's a defence or explanation for an action or viewpoint. So a "rape apologist" is someone who tries to defend the act of rape by trying to explain it, giving reasons for why it happened - she was drunk, he thought she said yes - rather than saying "he raped her, it was wrong." A rape apologist doesn't accept that a rapist choose a victim then rapes him/her - they believe that the victim contributes to the rape and thus a rape can be explained or defended by referring to the victim's behaviour.

Any discussion of rape that implies in any way that the victim contributed to the crime can be described as "rape apologia" because it takes responsibility away from the rapist and defends his actions. The fact is, rape is an intentional, malicious crime and the only person responsible is the rapist.

[mercibucket]

It is an expression used to slur someone who disagrees with your point of view, a form of bullying and name calling designed to make the other person back down

It started life as a way of describing those who make excuses for rapists but as with all similar expressions has become an insult casually bandied about with little thought to its meaning or care for the impact

[mercibucket]

It is an expression used to slur someone who disagrees with your point of view, a form of bullying and name calling designed to make the other person back down

It started life as a way of describing those who make excuses for rapists but as with all similar expressions has become an insult casually bandied about with little thought to its meaning or care for the impact

[TheDoctrineOfEnnis]

Cailin, that's really helpful about the etymology, thanks.

[CailinDana]

Mercibucket - I haven't seen it used in that context, have you had it used against you in that way?

[mysteriouslady]

Cailin, excellent explanation.

I too think its become over used.

The problem comes when you have someone who firmly believes all rape is the rapist fault, and yet is entrenched in rape myths, I think they get more entrenched then when they are being "insulted".

And I have seen it used exactly the way Merci describes, although not at me.