Dear Society (with a CC to men who feel that women are/might in the future unjustifiably accuse them of rape):
What should you do if a woman claims you raped/harassed her, and/or you get served by the court to stay away from her? You should leave her alone. If you did nothing wrong, then you’ve just saved yourself from being involved with a woman who accuses innocent men of rape. Feel free to gloat to all your friends “Don’t mess with her – I hope she never gets sex!” Then feel free to puff out your chest at the thought that she will never have the privilege of seeing you or your penis ever again!
What if you are a man who did have sex with a woman who said no, was drunk, or was unable to give consent, and you get served a restraining order or Sexual Assault Protective Order (SAPO)? You should leave her alone. If you did something to hurt her and it’s ‘just a restraining order’, all it’s asking of you is to stay away from this woman. If you did something wrong and she asks for money to put her health back together, pay it – you did the damage, you pay the price. If you learn your lesson that it’s not O.K. to have sex with someone when they say no, are drunk, or are unable to give consent you will have learned a valuable lesson and can move into the future a better man, and most likely have positive, consensual adult relationships, where both people enjoy sex together! (But still, bro, leave the original woman who you harmed alone. Forever.)
To Society: Listen to women. We like sex. We don’t like rape. We know the difference. Let us control our own minds/bodies/hearts. The rapist took that from us. We’re just taking what belongs to us back.
Sincerely,
All women who have ever been raped
The above opinion is that of the author, Barb Hughes. It is in response to this NPR article featuring author Jon Krakauer, titled Jon Krakauer Tells A ‘Depressingly Typical’ Story Of College Town Rapes.
