The "so what can we actually do" thread...

[ImSoNotTelling]

Hello

Following on from the thread about changing the law on rape to grant anonimity to the accused, a few people have started to think about what we can do to get involved, to actually try and change stuff.

So I guess this thread is for suggestions, ideas, and for people to link up to actually try to change things.

So far we have someone possibly standing for pariament!

So come on everyone.

What's the plan....

It's sparked quite a debate which has kind of gone off topic due to a woman spouting crap about how sometimes women are to blame for rape

Some posters are in agreement though and have signed.

Thread is here: my.bounty.com/forums/post/10/2262403/1/1/1/Anonymity-for-rape-defendants.htm

you may need to switch to oldest post first.

Most of Bounty is quite like NM but there are a lot of sensible women on Debates.

re. signs - I think the person's handwriting is best - that's what people always do in "hold up a sign" movements, isn't it?

Then hopefully politicians see it and think "what a lot of ordinary-looking voters we have here. Hmm, opposition to this has obviously moved beyond the usual suspects to the general public."

I was wondering whether holding up a handwritten sign with a logo in one corner might work, as it provides a sort of visual link to the campaign. OR is it better to just have the sign with nothing other than 'I believe you' because it acts as a sort of teaser and intrigues people into wondering what it's all about?

BUAV did a campaign recently where they took people's photos wearing rabbit (NOT playboy type) ears, gloves or noses while holding a pledge not to buy cleaning products tested on animals.

They gave people photo keyrings of themselves holding the pledge, postcards, and temporary tattos with a leaping rabbit and the words 'show me the bunny' written around it.

Although I can't think of a rape equivalent of a rabbit's paw, I think that having a logo or some kind of visual image helps people remember the issue. Having something like a keyring is a constant reminder - everytime I get my keys out it reminds me that I pledged to support the campaign.

Postcards are also useful for getting people to spread the campaign by mailing their MP or other influential individuals.

I was thinking how wonderful it would be if any police officers could be persuaded to join in. I wonder if it would be allowed, or if it would be seen as them prejudging the issue rather than being objective.

Do we know if anywhere else has a law like this? Someone commented on the blog asking and I don't know the answer. I don't think so but I wouldn't like to say for sure...

Well said Prolseworth - give anonymity to every defendant, or no defendant, but not defendants of just one crime. It singles rape out.

In terms of the blog, is it okay to think about it? It's for a very good cause, so I really am tempted, but on the other hand, as I say, it's about kinky goings on and is a bit

Often talking about things on the internet and signing petitions will bring changes.

See good news here on MN for example on the American Association of Paeds policy on female gential mutilation.

Oh sethstarkaddersmum, DP is an intelligence officer for the met, he's quite on board but he's not sure how much he can do without being chucked out for causing trouble (rebellion in the ranks and all...) so he's investigating! May be different for him than someone who deals directly with it, but he def has friends who are in charge of sexual assault who he's talking to. I'll let you know what he says later

How charming...

Some great reactions so far to the blog. Everyone who has commented has signed the petition, and the last comment was this:

"I don't always agree with your politics; I so agree with what you say here.

The defence, " she provoked me, she dressed/acted slutty," are pure crap, there is no defence to wilful rape.

Ideally a female should be able to walk down a public road naked, and the only concern should be, is she warm enough and is she watching out for traffic.

The damage that rape does to the victim is unquantifiable.

You have gone up in my estimation no end. :D

By the way I signed the petition before writing this comment.

Several encouraging pats on the back."

From a man

Hey there- I volunteer for Women Against Rape- did someone get back to your email?

Yeh- I signed it yesterday, found it independently via Facebook so you're doing a good job of getting the word out

The "I believe you" message is great, and very important. I've met two women who were convicted for perverting the course of justice for making false allegations. I am absolutely 100% convinced that both were telling the truth. One of those women is Gail Sherwood, who I've already posted a message about. She has three daughters who are now trying to cope without their mum.

The other woman I met was sentenced to two years. I visited her in prison, and it was absolutely devastating to watch her trying to cope without her very young daughter.

To find the courage to report rape (in these cases by a stranger) is so hard. To then be disbelieved, discredited and prosecuted is just unbelievable.

Words cannot describe how angry I am about what was written about them in the media. It was absolutely appalling- so many lies. Both women were told that they ruin the plight of real victims. What a kick in the face- both reported rape to the police because they were trying to protect other women.

P.s. here's the petition for anyone who'd like to sign it: www.petitiononline.com/WAR2010/petition.html

LondonSun, that's awful. I've signed that petition too.

This is from 2007, but can we still take something positive from the fact that we have already got more signatures, that the government told them to sod off, and that they didn't think to spell check their petition to the Prime Minister? petitions.number10.gov.uk/rape-equal-right/

I have (only 2, but still) hits to my blog from the search term "Rape anonymity" so hopefully it's reaching people.

on the back of you r campaign you could look at raising awareness of the young women who are being sexually exploited, this is to my mind a form of rape