NOW CLOSED: To all MNers - please take our survey about rape and sexual assault - we'd like to hear from everyone

[AnnMumsnet]

Hello

As you probably know, Mumsnet is planning to launch a rape awareness campaign in the middle of March, and as part of that campaign we're asking Mumsnetters to complete a survey about their own experience, if any, of rape and sexual assault (following last year's informal survey by MNetter CristinedePizan).

Please note the survey is open to all MNers - whether you have been raped and/or sexually assaulted or not.

We've thought carefully about whether to run this survey, and about the wording of the questions that are on it. Indeed we have consulted with leading charities and organisations operating in this field. We're aware that this will be terribly painful for some of you, but we believe that evidence of MNers' own experiences of sexual violence is probably the most powerful way to get our campaign message across - to politicians, to the media and to the wider world.

The survey is open to to all female Mumsnetters, whether you have been raped and/or sexually assaulted or not. We want to get as accurate a picture as possible, so don't feel that you can't take part if this has never happened to you.

For those that do have personal experience, there are inevitably some very difficult and personal questions in the survey which you may find very upsetting to fill out. We're so sorry if that is the case; do feel free to leave without completing it if it becomes too painful.

Please also rest assured that all survey responses will remain completely anonymous, and won't be linked in any way to your MN nickname or RL identity. As a small gesture of thanks for taking part, there is a £50 Amazon voucher to be won.

If you have any thoughts on the campaign you are welcome to post them on this thread.

Here's the link to the survey

Many thanks,
Ann on behalf of the MNHQ Insight and Campaigns Teams

NB: If you've been affected by these issues, Rape Crisis offer support through their national helpline. The number is 0808 802 9999, and it's open every day of the year from 12pm to 2.30pm, and 7pm to 9.30pm. You can also visit their website for details of Rape Crisis Centres in your area //www.rapecrisis.org.uk

[MrsMangoBiscuit]

done

[CatitaInaHatita]

Done and shared.

[Tonksforthememories]

It only took me to one page before the age/area one, there's more?

[cerys74]

Done

[Sockspence]

yes please Helen :)

[MooncupandPizza]

Done!
I wrote up some major research in Ireland (the SAVI report) about rape myth acceptance, prevalence of rape and sexual abuse etc. so am very interested in this campaign - will be watching!

[ProcrastinationStation]

Done

[TheOneWithTheHair]

Done.

[addictediam]

I'm probably being really thick, but I didn't understand question 11. Were you asking who you told at the time, or who you've told since?

[TheOtherHelenMumsnet]

Just to reassure those who've queried the number of questions you were asked - the number of questions you're asked depends on how you answer the first few questions - some people will be directed to the last page of questions about you while others will be directed to another section of questions first.

[AnnieLobeseder]

Done. I am interested as to why 'co-workers' wasn't included in the list of perpetrators. Assault at work is probably fairly common.

[AnnieLobeseder]

To add, I think co-worker should be added to perpetrators and management should be added to persons you told. Plus a question on how that person responded, ie, were you believed, were you supported, were you blamed?

[DilysPrice]

Done

[MonsterBookOfTysons]

Done.
Although due to him getting a not guilty verdict, I have always believed this to mean I can not speak about it to newspapers etc so I did not add my name. Is this right?

[weeonion]

done

[KnittingNovice]

Done

[iklboo]

Done.

[doughnutty]

Done

[Notthefullshilling]

Please delete my form dear Mn HQ. Thank you and sorry for any difficulty I may have caused.

[JugglingWithTangentialOranges]

I thought it was a slight flaw in the survey that sexual assault and rape were quite often lumped together. I would think it might have been more worthwhile to ask different questions about them. There could for example have been more focus on how common minor incidents of assault and lack of consent was in the experience of young women.

[ItsOkItsJustMyBreath]

done

[AnnMumsnet]

Notthefullshilling - we can but can I ask why? You've not caused us any bother AFAIK

JugglingWithTangentialOranges - we did think about this but felt on balance it would make the survey too long and complicated - there are so many questions we'd have liked to ask but we have to have a limit on this to maximise the time you guys so kindly give us.

[Notthefullshilling]

I feel that a little uncomfortable that mn are only asking female mn to respond, think the survey would be considerd more if it represented what female and male mn folk had to say. It also sends an unintended signal that a difference between male and female rape exists. FYI a really good piece was done on the Jeremy Vine show on radio two yesterday, I did flag it up! It was on male rape and it had every single thought and reflection that is said when talking about women being raped, but it was from men and male support group.

I also think you ask about abuse of young people in your survey (I do not know I did not trigger any of the more complex questions, that I think others did just by what others have said in this thread.) It would I think again be useful to offer those who have been the victim of this kind of abuse a chance to add their views. By which I mean the now well known of paedophile activities carried out in institutions such as churches and care homes against young boys / men should be added to the overwhelming weight of experience that women mn members have.

[TwllBach]

Done - Can I ask, is having someone force their penis in your mouth always classed as rape? I have always thought that anything but anal or vaginal penetration was sexual abuse. I'm not saying that any of them or worse/better than the other, but I've always classed my experience as 'sexual abuse' and not 'rape.' I'm not sure why it matters, it doesn't, it doesn't make it better or worse, so I don't know why I'm asking really

[HandDivedScallopsrgreat]

Done