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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

'Army Rumour Service' vile DV images - anyone reading this in Chat?

50 replies

LineRunner · 10/03/2013 23:34

There is a website called ARSSE who are apparently goading MN and have been posting up increasingly disturbing images of women being abused.

Some MNers have been ace in caching and doing screen captures before the thread was deleted.

Could anyone who is able tweet and FB this, to bring the attention of the media to a very horrible thread and what looks like a very horrible website?

OP posts:
CherylTrole · 14/03/2013 08:59

bumping for help

Original poster
LineRunner · 15/03/2013 20:21

Oh it's OK it was just a signpost.

For update: the Chat thread reached a 1000 posts and Justine has emailed the Army Rumour Service (ARRSE) forum to ask about its moderation policy.

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 15/03/2013 20:33

They publish their moderation policy;

"1. Do not attack people because of their race, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexuality.

  1. Do not post anything that is operationally or personally sensitive if it isn't already in the public domain.
  1. Do not post pornography (gash shots, scat etc etc) or links to pornographic websites.
  1. The Mods reserve the right to remove anything else they don't like as well.
  1. Do not harass or 'stalk' other members either on the open site or by PM.
  1. Bans and O2 taggings are the likely result of violating the rules, particularly if we don't like you.
  1. If you have any complaints about the content of the Arrse Naafi or Arrse generally, contact the forum moderators or the site admins"

Also: "... its become a den of bitchfesting, fuckwittery and general cringeworthyness. Can the cunts amongst you not just start a facebook group, msn chat or somewhere on the net where the remainder of the site don't log out after moments, complain or simply don't log on."

Original poster
LineRunner · 15/03/2013 20:51

They didn't adhere to their own policy, in that case.

And I think that posting images and descriptions of the rape and torture and abuse of women and girls went a fair bit beyond 'fuckwittery and cringeworthyness'; and ARRSE possibly seem only worried about the advertising revenue falling off.

OP posts:
kim147 · 15/03/2013 21:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

meditrina · 15/03/2013 21:16

That report also pointed out that the overall offending rate was lower than for a comparable age/sex population.

But the offences committed were much more likely to be violent. Alcohol was a major factor (a previous study by Kings on the MH angle bears that out too).

Anyone read the full report? It would be worth knowing how much of the headline figure was made up of drunken brawling and how much was more deliberately targeted.

FastidiaBlueberry · 15/03/2013 21:18

How bizarre . Why didn't they include dv? Is that not "real" violence?

I'm sure I've read that women married to members of armed forces are more likely to be subjected to dv. Can't remember where though

Awks · 15/03/2013 21:21

Noone from Mumsnet HQ replied to me regarding the lovely people who are sending loveboxes to ssafa's Stepping Stone Home refuges. That's quite sad I think.

Original poster
LineRunner · 15/03/2013 21:25

Interesting they excluded/separated out DV from that study.

The armed forces have known for a long time that they have a problem with DV.

Back in 2009 it was reported that more armed services personnel (serving and former) were in prison than serving in Afghanistan. About a third of those men in prison or on probation were convicted of DV.

ARRSE would find a sympathetic reception about this on MN if it asked for help with the problem, and had stopped allowing its members to post gloating images of rape and violence against women using its own supposed moderation policy. And as for all those other posters that not only stood by without challenge but found it amusing... scary.

OP posts:
Darkesteyes · 15/03/2013 21:29

They really did break all their own rules didnt they....and then some.

Original poster
LineRunner · 15/03/2013 21:29

Here's the link to one of those 2009 media reports

OP posts:
meditrina · 15/03/2013 21:29

I'm surprised it was excluded altogether - I can see why they might need a disclaimer that figures on this might be incomplete if they were counting only convictions.

Anyone got any good links about DV and military families?

Original poster
LineRunner · 15/03/2013 21:31

Awks I've nearly sorted my box out for Ssafa for the refuge houses. Will be on its way soon.

Please contact MNHQ again and ask for a reply. It was a bit fraught, that thread.

OP posts:
Original poster
LineRunner · 15/03/2013 21:38

This Bristol University study is a few years old but is interesting. It rounds off by saying that we need to know more about how the perpetrators perceive 'gendered roles' - they weren't commissioned to study that!

From the evidence of the ARRSE website, that forum would would be a good place to start looking.

The MoD knows there is a massive problem.

OP posts:
Awks · 15/03/2013 21:44

Thanks Line Runner.

meditrina · 15/03/2013 21:51

Thanks, LineRunner: though that survey was based on a tiny and self-selecting response size (interestingly ArRSe was one of the organisations through which responses were solicited).

The drawback, I suppose, with focussing on ArRSe is that they don't check whether posters there have any connection with the Army at all.

TheBrocoliIsStillRaw · 15/03/2013 22:15

AWKS I would be interested in that. Can you PM me please I'm on my phone so can't PM at the min.

Original poster
LineRunner · 15/03/2013 22:19

I think ARRSE should take greater care with its moderation as it's become a terrible 'advert' for soldiers and ex-soldiers who clearly need genuine support from everyone. It also has a specifically nasty piece about MN, which must be approved by the moderators.

OP posts:
MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 15/03/2013 22:33

@Awks

Noone from Mumsnet HQ replied to me regarding the lovely people who are sending loveboxes to ssafa's Stepping Stone Home refuges. That's quite sad I think.

Awks
When was this? Our inbox has been quite weird of late - we are rather fantatical about answering all mail - even if it's less prompt than we would like.

Awks · 15/03/2013 22:40

Olivia - Justine commented on the original thread and when I pm'd her it directed me to an email address. I used that email address the following morning but as yet haven't had a response. I can resend if you wish.

FastidiaBlueberry · 15/03/2013 22:46

I've still got to do my box. Have bought a couple of things but still thinking what else to get.

Smile
MNHQ
OliviaMumsnet · 15/03/2013 22:48

@Awks

Olivia - Justine commented on the original thread and when I pm'd her it directed me to an email address. I used that email address the following morning but as yet haven't had a response. I can resend if you wish.

Could you please? then it's in "t'system" (sounds a generic email but it's really not) [email protected]
Thanks

Awks · 15/03/2013 22:49

Thanks FB. Not glamorous but sanitary towels (nice ones - we all know theres a difference!), bottle multi vitamins, carmex, make up wipes or toothbrushes are always good. And a fiver nightie ffrom Primark if you are flush x

Awks · 15/03/2013 22:51

I have done Olivia. ta

FastidiaBlueberry · 15/03/2013 23:04

Cheers, good suggestions. Smile