feminism shouldn't just be about rape

[tvmum1976]

controversial topic. I've written a blog about it and wonder what people think?

What do you understand feminism to be, tvmum?

Hi Aye, that's a big question. I guess I understand feminism to be a range of opinions, activism and efforts to promote equality for women in all spheres of life. Would you say different?

they could write about it in a different way, and take the trouble to be better informed about it.

your average columnist isn't going to have gone to the trouble of talking to women's organisations or the police about why rape prosecutions fail, for instance, they feel free to sound off without going beyond the usual 'as we all know it's because it's her word against his and there is rarely any other evidence' nonsense.

That's like saying to black people back in the day "oh, all this focus on lynching sends out a message of weakness, and makes out that black people are victims - it's a shame". Erm, what's the alternative, don't talk about the violence that is perpetrated against us? Rape won't go away if we pretend it doesn't happen. We can't liberate ourselves through positive thinking.

Interesting point. Do you think of rape as a systematic hate crime in the way that lynching was?

hi prolesworth- can you talk me through your thinking there?

tv - yes, you understood me correctly that time. I left out 'male' because, as I trying to say to you, it's not neccesary to emphasize that men get raped too. We know; no-one is forgetting it.

But thanks for the apology.

How on earth could rape not be a systematic hate crime? What else would it be?

tvmum, I don't know how to say this nicely, so I'll just say it anyway. How can you be a feminist, with feminist friends, in London (which has a wide feminist network), and not know anything about feminist views on rape?

I agree broadly with your definition of feminism, btw.

Ugh, I'm tired and reacting.

Sorry.

Agree, proles. And how could it not be systematic when the conviction rate is so low? And when until recently a man's right to rape was defended in the law? And where so many myths are propagated by the media and even by MPs?

Have you any idea how prevalent rape, sexual assault and child sexual abuse are, tvmum?

I'm getting the impression that you see rape as a rarity?

I think that clearly no one knows the full extent of rape/ sexual assault as there is obviously a problem with reporting these types of crimes. The British Crime Survey is a better measure of the extent of criminal activity than police stats, as people will often report crimes, after the event to the Survey anonymously that they would not take to the police, to avoid court cases etc. It is by no means perfect obviously. But according to the BCS, violence against women generally is less than half of that of violence against men. And this includes all forms of violence, so rape is just a part of that.

And Aye, yes, I know about feminist views on rape, generally, but not sure that I agree with the feminist picture in its entirety, though obviously very happy to be convinced by someone who is very clear in their view and prepared to take the time to put the case to me and convince me otherwise. Which is why I asked, and what I had assumed that these types of forums were for, as opposed to a place where everyone who already shared the same view could go to have it reinforced.

I've only read 30 posts so far - marking place.

TVmum: I feel that the feminist message should be one primarily of strength rather than weakness. Me, too, probably for the same reasons and in a similar way. Will complete reading before daring to comment further.

sorry Aye, me too. am genuinely interested in this- wasn't having a dig.

have to go to bed now though, as I think my baby will be up in the early hours. Good night.

Tell us what you've already read and someone can probably suggest something good to go onto next

If one googles "London feminism" or "London feminist", London Feminist Network is at the top of both lists of search results. They are not difficult to find.

Why would you google "London feminism" unless you'd recently moved to London and were a member of a feminist group in your previous place? It's not like London boasts a unique brand of sexism, is it

They need to address their search terms!