Gloucester's women geared up for first 'Slutwalk'

“Some pretty entrenched views in here arguing with a passion that women's dress and actions should be disassociated from the risk of rape or sexual attack. I can understand that position when looking at the rape and sexual attack statistics and it's quite easy to slip into this "semi educated" view. The fact is that we don't know for sure and if it were that a significant number of rapes and sexual attacks were carried out on women who dressed and acted inappropriately and were seen as targets and/or vulnerable to their attackers, then isn't it right that they should be encouraged to a take a more responsible position?

The problem actually lies with the statistics and the superficial analysis of them. Approximately 15,000 rapes become police reported crimes each year and it's from this statistic that people can derive an insight about the rapists circumstances and motives. What they fail to understand is that the profile of the 45,000 (lowest estimate) unreported rapes, by far the majority and statistically more important, may well be significantly different. You cannot statistically interpolate beween the two due to the significance of the reasons why they weren't reported. We don't know. But, there may be some women who thought they did "ask for it" so wouldn't report it. There maybe some who were so drunk they thought they might have been raped but weren't sure, (but had been), so didn't report it and with a little imagination I could come up with numerous other plausible examples but I think you get my point.

What we don't know in rape and sexual attacks is more than what we do know. For that reason I would suggest that women dress and act in order to reduce their vulnerability.”

“@ honslknjklyt

Because I took time and composed my reply to you with care, I did not see that you had in the interim apologised to Ms_Superstar before pressing the "submit" button.

My prime reason for responding was because to use your words; the post seemed "nasty" and because it seemed "quite attacking in its tone."

I would also have commented because I think your comments were quite unfair to young people in genera,l and women in particular.

In your latest post you say "I really do think that people need to accept responsibility." Wasn't that what Ms_Superstar was doing?”

“@ honslknjklyt

Is this a discussion about the -s-l-u-t-w-a-l-k or simply an opportunity to vent your prejudices?

Where is the evidence to back up your claims?

You said "It is do-gooders like you who breed a nation of retards...." You might not have noticed that many young people are police men and women, nurses, administrators and contributing in legal and scientific work. What about the young soldiers, both male and female, who are putting themselves in harm's way for all our sakes on a daily basis? How can you label all young people this way?

You go on to say "If these shoeless barefooted idiots were to face the consequences of it by slipping in sick, cutting their foot etc, they may think twice next time and wear sensible shoes"

Isn't that a rather callous view? Should we also refuse to treat someone who has mishandled a knife cooking, slipped and cut their hand? Where would this approach stop?

You say "This country is backwards...." You seem to have forgotten the Olympics, and the UK's other achievements, scientific and otherwise. It seems odd that someone who is apparently such a master of their own destiny hasn't decided to emigrate to somewhere 'better'.

You said have lambasted Ms _ Superstar for belonging to an organisation that gives flip-flops to women at night who have taken their shoes off, so that they can walk safely...saying quite sarcastically "Sammy Superstar would rather play hero for the night as these women say, "oh sally you are a star, my feet are so sore that's lovely."

It clearly hasn't occurred to you, as you sit at home in your heated comfort that she is:

1) Trying to do something positive.
2) That by being on the scene, she might through first hand experience know more about the subject than you do!

Some might suspect from reading your posts on this, and other TIG topics about women that you have an issue with women in general. I would not like to be so uncharitable, but one is left wondering if your posts might not say more about you; than the topic you're commenting on.”

“I stand by My Comments Ms Superstar but I do apologise in how nasty it may have came across and quite attacking in its tone, but I really do think that people need to accept responsibility.

We all have our different things that we need to do in life and different things we need to do at the time.”

“Whatever.”

“Ms _ Superstar - " I belong to an organisation that gives flip-flops to women at night who have taken their shoes off, so that they can walk safely."



More fool you, you could be using your time helping someone who is vulnerable rather that some bimbo has made the decision to wear shoes beyond their ability and sensibility.

It is do-gooders like you who breed a nation of retards, that someone else will be there to pick up the pieces and pamper stupidity.

If these shoeless barefooted idiots were to face the consequences of it by slipping in sick, cutting their foot etc, they may think twice next time and wear sensible shoes, but oh no..... Sammy Superstar would rather play hero for the night as these women say, "oh sally you are a star, my feet are so sore that's lovely".

This country is backwards as their is no responsibility or consequence for idiots who make a wrong decision.”

“Forester_girl, you are quite correct. Clothes have nothing to do with it. Unfortunately, that's not the way rapists, their defence lawyers, the press and even the police appear to see it. That is what the march is about. Yes, it's true that wearing high heels will hamper your ability to run away, but many women take them off for walking. I belong to an organisation that gives flip-flops to women at night who have taken their shoes off, so that they can walk safely.”

“@by honslknjklyt
I found some of your statements puzzling:

You said "I have to say, what I see in town centres of a weekend is not attractive in the least fake tan, corned beef legs, bare feet everywhere, caked in make up, smudged lipstick"

This seems to be more about your dress code preferences than factors leading to rape or sexual assault.

You went on to say "Not a pretty sight at all, why anyone would want to rape that is beyond me."

What you did NOT say is "Not a pretty sight at all, why anyone would want to rape, is beyond me."

The single word "that" makes all the difference. It makes the statement specific to those women, and implies some women are worth raping and some are not! I find that quite shocking. How can anyone consider if someone is worth raping or not?

Almost all the studies over the last 50 years have focussed on hostility, power and control as the motives for rape rather than sexual gratification. Why is it then that you persist in focussing on dress?

If you are correct why are 77% of attackers are already known by rape victims? Why then are over half (55%) of female rape victims raped in their own home?

Even though sexual assaults are almost three times more likely to occur in a public place than are rapes. Why in supposedly safe venues such as offices do women still suffer sexual assault? Dressing like a supposed s-l-u-t would not be a factor there.

The s-l-u-t-w-a-l-k came into being in Canada in Toronto 2011 to combat mistaken attitudes that sexual assault and rape occurs because of how women dress.”

“tig, you are a silly billy”

“@honslknjklyt: "It is a great sadness to see the state our country is in."
Well, you got that right!

Just as some people go out, get drunk and attack people, so others go out and get attacked. Let's not forget which ones are to blame.

Or do you honestly think it's the victims??”