So, back when I started this month I had big intentions of revealing all. I wanted to be open and honest about everything. Lay it all on the line. Put my cards on the table etc.
Then life, as it invariably does, got in the way. So, it all went a little by the way side. So I wanted to talk today about the reason for the last month.
Yes, the reason for it all kicking off was to support Carly ’s excellent book (available right here ) and there was the small matter of raising some money for RAINN ; but as well as a good excuse for turning the heat up on some of our blogs and having a good laugh (and future Christmas present ideas ) it has also been to bring the quite serious, and sometimes overlooked subject of Sexual Assault and Rape to the forefront.
1 in 4 women suffer rape or attempted rape.
The most common rapists are current and ex-husbands or partners
1 in 7 married women said they had been forced to have sex compared to 1 in 3 divorced or separated women
91% of women told no one
97% of callers knew their assailant
Less than 7% had reported the assault to the police
Source: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Less than 7%. Now look at this chart - the official figures and projections made by the Home Office in 1999.
Scary, isn’t it?
So dig deep and help where you can.
Kevin , you done good.
Donate to RAINN (Put GBBMC08 in the info box!)
May 1st, 2008 at 2:03 am
You done good, too, Bec. Can’t wait to see how much money was raised by all of us.
Karl’s last blog post..No Dolphins Died in Midair Collisions
May 1st, 2008 at 2:32 am
I personally plead not guilty!
I’m wondering if your stats pertain to the UK or the world, because they sound out of line with what’s happening on the American scene.
Actually, it has taken a long time for my society to even think of marital or relationship rape as something real. This is because the sexist nature of our history has made it difficult for people to change their mindsets, even victims who are married woman.
The Catholic Church, which I have nothing to do with, still almost makes it an edict for wives to service their husbands on request/command.
It’s still very difficult to get a jury to convict a man of raping his wife. For a woman to get justice, she must ask the prosecutor to ask for a bench trial (the judge alone decides on the guilt or innocence question). But even many of our male judges, middle-aged or older, might have the same attitude as jurors.
No question, my society has take huge leaps in its standards of decency — except for the death penalty, which I personally find repulsive. I contend though that until a couple of generations die off, these changes won’t be fully realized.
Glenn’s last blog post..HAPPY GOLDEN BIRTHDAY TO THE PEACE SIGN! ONE WORLD, ONE SOUL!
May 1st, 2008 at 3:32 am
I’m also eager to see how we did as fundraisers. It’s been an emotional month for me, and I’m sure for most of us. Thank you so much for your support and comments, Bec.
Simply Jane’s last blog post..Sleeping with the enemy
May 1st, 2008 at 8:30 am
Scary statistics indeed! Well done for doing your bit Bec :o)
Penelope’s last blog post..What did I say?
May 1st, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Karl - Thank you - I think we can all give ourselves a collective pat on the back! Yes, hopefully enough to do some real good!
Glenn - my stats are UK based, and about a decade old. One thing we are not good at is updating stats! Until ideas change about rape within marriages/ stable relationships and the victims feel confident at their situation being taken seriously then the figures fired out by the Home Office are almost meaningless.
Simply Jane - No, thank you. Your blog has been a joy to read this month. Even through the hard sections - your honesty has been refreshing. Pats on the back all round!
Penelope - Thank you! What makes the stats more scary to me is the fact we live in the UK, and we don’t like answering the hard questions. how many refused to answer?
Bec’s last blog post..7%
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:49 pm
I agree with Karl, you done good too!
And thanks!
kapgar’s last blog post..Crazy, that’s how it goes…
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
kapgar - No thank you - you are the playmaker ideas type man without which we would all be sunk! Pure genius in the shape of a man!
May 4th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
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