vvvqv... your sensitive subject thread

[aitch71]

vvvqv, i haven't read the thread apart from your posts which i have searched for, as the actual specifics of who has endured what aren't my business, i feel.

I have clearly been 'lucky' in that i have never suffered any sort of serious attack (one creepy boss, who i was able to distract by shouting someone else into the room) but at the same time i just cannot believe that i have to count myself 'fortunate' in this day and age that i have not been sexually assaulted. it is disgusting to think that we as women can pretty much expect to be grabbed or groped or worse, and i find it terrifying for my dd's future.

Your statistics are so shocking, how can this be left on an archive? What can we do to raise awareness? I think i might email a friend of mine who is a radio producer and see if there is some way of turning the thread into a programme or something. If not this thread, then dramatising the figures and the experiences in some other way. but i obviously won't do it if you and others think it is a terrible idea and will impinge on people's privacy.

Anyway, that is one idea i had, if anyone has any others i would be interested to help in any way. to those of you who have spoken out in the last few days about your experiences, i applaud you for your bravery.

Sorry aitch, I have only just seen this.

I am looking to do something with all this, because I agree...I dont think it can just be left to drift away into the archives.

There are certain issues and protocols that I have to clarify first, and I am awaiting a response from MNHQ in fact.

But please CAT me with details regarding this radio producer friend. I would be very interested to discuss it further.

Thank you
x

I have been trying to think of some way to get this noticed too.

Even just a list of the statistics eg... an internet group was asked who had been abused/assaulted, and within 48 hours x people had replied, with y amount of attacks and z amount reported.

Someone linked the thread to a website in Ireland, MagicMums, and it was well received there - in fact - they had one of those online "polls" up and running.

It has been linked elsewhere, but not been received so well.

So, I think we have to be careful, but its too important a message to not send out.

I want the reporting to be made easier, kinder and more supported - across the board, and for the reporting to go up. I'd like date-rape to be taken more seriously, and steps taken to prevent this apparent "mind-set" thinking that its okay to get a girl drunk to make her compliant.

Dont want much, do I?

But how many women out there would 150% agree with you. It may be asking a lot but it's long, long overdue.

You'd be surprised QOES....

Someone suggested sending it to Jeremy Vine on Radio2 (discussion programme weekday lunchtimes), I think he seems a nice chap and always handles things sensitively.

i think it would be worth going to jeremy vine about it, definitely. i'll speak to a couple of people about the thread, see if anyone can think of a good way of framing it creatively without treading on anyone's toes etc etc. i've never signed up to the CAT thing, vvvqv, but will do when i've got a better idea of what might be possible if that's okay?

That was me Bucket. I have heard him talk about some very sensitive issues before and think he is well respected for his handling of them. He would also have the connections to get some very high powered people on the show to talk about this, as well as many victims. I believe that this needs to be seen by the media as a means of helping victims not only have the strength to report the crimes, but also help them get counselling etc after the fact. There is so much hopelessness and negative stigma in reporting these crimes and this is so, so wrong. After all, we did nothing wrong. Personally speaking, my experience of reporting the rape was harrowing but overall positive thanks to 2 lovely police officers, one male, one female, who called me monthly for a year after the attack to see how I was doing. From a justice point of view, due to lack of conclusive DNA the rapist got off. That gutted me and effects me as much as the attack did in the first place. Reporting it did NOTHING essentially. As far as the abuse, i have not reported it and will probably not. But I totally feel like speaking on behalf of victims, as this kind of thing is sadly so much more common than I thought. And that is HORRIFIC.

Okay, well I have signed up so let me know if you need me to CAT you instead.

Absolutely nannyk.

will do, vvv.