The Duke case has been in the news lately - hey it's not like there's anything else going on in the world (snark!) - and I've seen a few diaries on this site re rape. I'm constantly amazed at the number of "progressives" here who seem to go out of their way to make excuses for the attackers in any rape case - not just this one.
I've seen several other women on many of those threads who've come right out and said "hey I was raped - I know what the fuck I'm talking about" - and belive me, they DO know what they're talking about. Some reported the crime and went through the humiliating and degrading process of a physical exam at the hospital, and then sat through the trial where the perp's lawyer tried to make her out to be some sort of a whore.
Others - like me - never reported the crime. We tried as best we could to get on with our lives because we knew the guy would never see the inside of a jail. Not with our "justice" system.
Another thing I've noticed is that rape is the one crime where the victim is so doubted. Even with the physical evidence (bruises, seman, scratches etc) people still doubt that she didn't consent. Now why is that do you suppose?
Is it any wonder that 80% of the rapes in our society go unreported?
At any rate - I thought I'd put up the following poll. Something tells me we're going to find there are a hell of a lot more rape victims (and this includes molestation of young girls) on this site than any of you think.
With the numbers of us out there - there's little chance that any of you have gone through your life without knowing at least one victim of rape. Think about that the next time you rush to judgment of a rape victim.
UPDATE #3
I've added another option to the poll - yes to both (I've been raped and I know others who've been raped)
UPDATE #2
Look, I'm seeing a lot of comments here about the Duke case and I really didn't intend for this to focus on that one case. This is about rape - and about the members of this wonderful community who've been hurt, damaged, and/or victimized by that horrid and VIOLENT crime.
Can we please get away from the Duke case, and focus on the general issue iteself? Thanks.
UPDATE
Someone had some great suggestions for the poll so I'm adding a few options. This poll isn't for just female victims - men and boys get raped too so please consider that if you answer the poll.
Someone mentioned the UCLA poll that found that 35% of male respondents said they would rape if they knew they could get away with it. Frightening.