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Feminism: Sex & gender discussions

Confused about the extended sentences for rape in a 'safe place'

28 replies

LizaTarbucksAuntie · 04/03/2011 09:14

Have I missed something here?

I was being a bit outraged about the idea of 'safe places' somehow it's less of a violation or crime if it's in a public place. Isn't that a bit 'women should stay in their houses if they don't want to be raped?'

I hope I'm not being stupid, but surely we should be 'safe' everywhere?

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AliceWorld · 04/03/2011 09:18

Yes yes I heard this this morning. And forgotten. That was my reading of it. Women should be safe in the home, therefore it's worse to rape them there (e.g. stay in the home women) and I thought it played on the myth that rapes are usually a stranger in an alley. Most rapes happen in the home, so why is this one then held up as exceptional.

I heard some legally thing mentioned though that I thought might be the missing bit in my understanding.

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LizaTarbucksAuntie · 04/03/2011 09:23

I'm sure I didn't hear the whole thing properly and really want to understand why this is a good thing. from what I've heard it is all a bit 1950's

I was talking about it with DP and saying I thought it was outrageous and he was going 'well women should feel safe in their homes' (DP is pretty sensible and enlightened) but it hadn't occured to him that we're supposed to feel just as safe everywhere.

But then I maybe have pretty hardline views on what kind of crime rape is.

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AyeRobot · 04/03/2011 09:24

LizaTarbucksAuntie, I heard this on the radio last night and wanted to post about but didn't really know what to say. There's something in the message that doesn't sit well with me AT ALL.

Especially because most rapes do take place in a "safe" place. Are partner rapes at home going to be punished even more severely? Because by that logic, being raped by your partner in your home is even worse.

Confused.

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LizaTarbucksAuntie · 04/03/2011 09:32

Thank you for saying that, it's been nagging at me since last night and I was begining to think I was being daft! - that's exactly how I felt about it and couldn't see a discussion anywhere so ventured over here.

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Prolesworth · 04/03/2011 09:51

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FlamingoBingo · 04/03/2011 09:54

Is it a bit like theft from an employer being more harshly punished than theft from a stranger, because it's not only the crime that has happened, but also the breach of trust?

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LizaTarbucksAuntie · 04/03/2011 10:03

Prolesworth yes:

what it doesn't say is that he went on to say..

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FlamingoBingo · 04/03/2011 10:07

I wasn't defending it, btw - it's poorly thought out. I just wondered if the 'breach of trust' angle was where they were coming from when they said it.

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LizaTarbucksAuntie · 04/03/2011 10:09

Flamingo - It didn't look like defence to me :)

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Prolesworth · 04/03/2011 10:38

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Quodlibet · 04/03/2011 10:42

I got annoyed by this too.

I felt like a) why on earth weren't they sentenced properly in the first place and b) the connotation of this is, 'they were in the house, they didn't do anything risky like leave the house which might have encouraged someone to rape them'. It feels like because their homes were violated as well as their bodies it's somehow taken more seriously.

Women should be safe from rape everywhere and this sends a really worrying message that women should only be protected properly if they keep themselves 'safe' eg stay indoors, and that the crime of rape differs in its seriousness according to who its been done to.

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dittany · 04/03/2011 10:44

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legoverlil · 04/03/2011 10:44

Luckily the appeal judge agreed and extended the sentence of these nasty bastards.

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Unrulysun · 04/03/2011 10:57

I haven't heard this til now but WTF? Is it ok to rape me in the park then? Should I expect sexual assault on public transport?

Kuche, Kinder fucking Kirche that's what this is.

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LizaTarbucksAuntie · 04/03/2011 11:04

sorry for linking to the DM but am struggling to find it reported elsewhere:

[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1362619/Rapists-jail-sentences-increased-carried-attacks-victims-homes.html link]]

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LizaTarbucksAuntie · 04/03/2011 11:04

oh, every bloody time!

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1362619/Rapists-jail-sentences-increased-carried-attacks-victims-homes.html

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Prolesworth · 04/03/2011 11:07

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LizaTarbucksAuntie · 04/03/2011 11:13

I heard it on Radio 4 yesterday initially.

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InmaculadaConcepcion · 04/03/2011 11:35

I heard this on BBC radio news last night and wondered what the hell it was all about.

I agree with the above posters - it's a very dated message to send out:
"Don't go outside on your own, especially after dark - if you do, you're inviting rape..." seems to be a subtext.

The one thing I take as a positive is that three rapists had their sentences lengthened and that one "style" of rape at least may now get tougher punishments in the future. Which is something, I suppose.

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amiheartless · 04/03/2011 16:15

oh dear I have an odd feeling soon itll be like Afghanistan where women do not leave the home without a mans permission to avaoid rape...I know that was a wierd huge jump, but as soon as I red this my mind went oh no! lol

its a strange place to be my head

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SuchProspects · 04/03/2011 20:15

I don't think that's the way the judges are looking at it (that women are asking for trouble if they go out). Generally speaking crimes are more serious if you trespass. Theft, serious assault and criminal damage should all attract higher sentences if committed after unlawfully entering someones home.

The sanctity of the home has generally been a staple of British (and I think common) law. If you're going to rank this sort of thing then it's definitely a way to go. I don't think it's so bad to say to criminals it's worse if you do it in someone's home (just like I don't think it's so bad to say it's worse if you use a weapon).

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Prolesworth · 04/03/2011 20:17

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LizaTarbucksAuntie · 04/03/2011 20:21

exactly my point prolesworth - on top of the bloody point about why do men have the right to be equally safe anywhere, but poor little ladies need to be kept inside for their own good.

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Prolesworth · 04/03/2011 20:24

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LizaTarbucksAuntie · 04/03/2011 20:28

no, please do, me as well. I'm really in a stew about this and surprised more people haven't picked it up!

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