Lib Dem mp says a 5 year sentence for rape is excessive.

[carernotasaint]

Unbelivable. Im getting really really sick of seeing this attitude everywhere.www.mumsnet.com/Talk/in_the_news/1463054-So-a-liberal-democrat-candidate-for-Basingstoke-thinks-a-five-year-sentence-for-rape-is-excessive

green party now, another day another inappropriate rape comment

what is the matter with these men?

I worry about men who don't appear to think rape is a big deal. I can't help wondering why they think that.

IYSWIM.

I love the fact they don't understand that 5 years is actually pretty low on the scale of available penalties. And that otherwise presumably decent parties think these people are suitable candidates for office. I have written to the lib dens to point out they should be distancing themselves from such comments - please also write if you feel strongly.

I had an interesting conversation with my dad about women being available because they've had a drink. I was exasperated by his comments as usually I respect his opinion. He was way out on this one. I plan my retort next time were out for a meal and drink.... Following his line of reasoning if someone buggers him it's his fault for having had a drink - he's shown he's available. So many men don't appear to be able to relate to the horror and effect of rape but the thought of another man overpowering them and taking advantage might conjour up a clearer image of the reality.

I wonder if they would feel any different about the sentence for someone who had raped them?

I suspect that deep down, many men think that women getting raped is no big deal and actually, we're making a frightful fuss about it. It's just a bit of sex we don't really want and lots of people have sex they're not really up for, so what on earth are we making such a song and dance about? Our vaginas were designed to be able to accomodate penises after all. Whereas their arseholes - well, it hurts, so they're entitled to be outraged, shocked, humiliated, psychologically damaged. We, on the other hand, were made to be fucked, so WTF are we complaining about?

They don't get that rape and sex aren't the same thing and actually, that rape often really hurts, even without any other accompanying violence. They also don't get that having your trust and bodily integrity violated, is the pain; because of our history of being chattels and having no bodily integrity (rape was just an attack on another man's property originally, not an outrage against an individual), men - and some women - still haven't grasped that it's that de-humanisation which is so damaging and far-reaching.

AIBU?

And here is a really good description of why that stupid idea is so wrong. Warning, it's quite upsetting and may be triggering, but it's the best description of why this idea is so wrong, that I've come across.

YANBU Basil, the dehumaninsing degradation of rape is sickening. I find it sad so many men don't see women as real people. I hope you don't mind me joining, I'm uneducated and naive but a rape survivor hoping to learn something and do something positive but I've a lot to learn.

5 years is nothing, rape survivors get LIFE.

I think the problem is that it is a normal occurrence for a man to have sex with a drunk woman who is unable to consent and they are unable to admit to themselves that they are guilty of rape.

How many of us have received sexual contact that we didn't consent to when drunk?

Most of us I imagine

BB - exactly - rape is widespread and normalised and many men would like to keep it that way. Which is why they mount hate campaigns against rape victims and obstruct all efforts to raise awareness and information about it.

He won't serve 5 years anyway.

I have been shocked by the genuine surprise of some men to this verdict.

He isn't an MP. He isn't even a councillor, and probably won't be one after Thursday either.

He is completly wrong, and the party should say so.

Very good albeit depressing posts basil. What you say is so true.

I think a scary amount of men think like that, deep down.

as thefallenmadonna says he isn't an elected representative at any level and hopefully won't be!

i have emailed his local party to ask that his lib dem endorsement be removed, although it will be too late for him to be taken off the polling papers as a lib dem...