She was asking for it.

Herbex made some really great comments on the other thread about this. I do hope she posts here too.

If we agree that most women are likely to be raped at home and by someone they know then what are women supposed to do to 'protect' themselves from being raped? The answer is they can't :( which is one of the reasons it is never ever a women's fault if she is raped.

What you wear has absolutely no bearing on the likelihood of you being attacked. Neither does your level on inebriation. Although conventional 'common sense' would certainly have us believe that that is the case. It helps the society and individuals to blame the victim as it give them a false sense of power to avoid such acts themselves.

If you believe that the way you act is at least partly responsible for your treatment, then you can prevent these horrible things from happening to you. IYSWIM?

As for location, I would love to see stats, but would guess that there is similar dynamic at play here. And further more serves to keep women controlled in the home environment, isolated from the world.

That said, I think it is imminently sensible to avoid any man, group or situation that makes you uncomfortable or feel unsafe. But that would go for men and women.

To say what you wear affects the likelihood of you being raped is complete bull. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. If there was a direct correlation between lack of clothes and likelihood of being raped, then, hell, beaches would be one of the most dangerous places on the planet.

To say men are more likely to rape if you're wearing a short skirt also takes human nature away from men. It implies that men are little more than animals with no control over their instinct. It also takes away the reason men rape. It's not because of sexual urges, it's because of a desire for power.

As for location being a factor... Well, if that's the case, the most dangerous place for any woman to be is at home, in the presence of a partner, ex partner or male friend.

I'm very cautious these days, perhaps too cautious, following my relationship with my ex, and a previous sexual assault. Every attack that took place was either by someone I considered a friend, or the man I was supposed to marry. So yeah, now I find it hard to trust anyone, that's what the "trust your instinct" motto has done for me.

Like to see cites; I'm aware that most rapes are by men known to the women - as most paedophile attacks are within family.

While I'm happy to stipulate that is the case, I've always known there are places to avoid if you want to avoid violence.

Is there any evidence to suggest that location/risky behaviour has no impact on the likelihood of rape?

HereBeBolloX mentioned some stuff about this earlier - suggesting I had a look at The Gift of Fear highlighting never ignore or override your gut instinct, even when you feel stupid for not ignoring it. A man who makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, shoudl be treated with caution

I'd agree with that, but say that's merely part of the same continuum?