These are comments by mike sullivan, Rihannon, and Jo on the post “I Know Who Raped You This Morning“.
Trigger warning for rape.
mike sullivan said:
“Rape is far more widespread than one would think, and that is because it’s swept under the rug and hushed as you say. It demonstrates character to share this and get the word out … especially when it’s personal with your father, But you are right, if the justice system fails the victims we have to take matters into our own hands, vigilante style. Telling those friends could have protected them.”
Rihannon said:
“I think warning other people who know him is the best thing you can do. Think about it: if you knew someone was a thief, you would tell your friends not to let that person handle their wallet or purse, or stay at their house, right? Maybe you are ‘meddling’ in this man’s life, but maybe he forfeited the right to a meddle-free life when he decided to be a rapist.
“Maybe your meddling will save lives. Maybe it will prevent him from doing it again. As a woman, I would want to know if someone I worked with or knew was a rapist, so I could avoid them and keep an eye on them. Thanks for meddling, keep up the good meddling! Thanks for writing this too.”
Jo says:
“I don’t for a second think this is not an essay for a man to write. Of course, men should consider and deliberate. I can’t congratulate you for not being a rapist, but I can for caring about it.
“So much of our rape culture places responsibility on women—how they dress/act, their sexuality, their experience, how they must avoid rape. No one tells boys how not to be rapists. No one says, prevent rape by NOT RAPING PEOPLE. Well … maybe they do more now. And this essay is part of that.
“I’m sorry for your friend’s horrible experience. I’m glad you care.”
Photo credit: Flickr / Katie Tegtmeyer
The post “Maybe your meddling will save lives. Maybe it will prevent him from doing it again.” appeared first on The Good Men Project.
