The Question That May Never Be Asked

castlecraver · 2013-03-29T21:52:25+00:00

You might be headed down quite the slippery slope: Being physically attractive probably increases one's chances of being sexually assaulted. That's valuable information. People might reduce their odds of getting raped if they just let themselves go. (/s)

Sure, body size and attractiveness aren't quite as mutable as the clothes you're wearing on any particular day, but hey, it's information you could arm people with. They'd have the option to reduce their odds. How's that so different? One might argue that dramatically changing one's physical attractiveness would negatively impact their health and other things, but there might also be plenty of fine reasons one would wear "provocative" clothes that would have nothing to do with some incorrectly assumed desire to have sex there and then. Maybe some people are just more confident that way. Maybe it's 100 degrees out. Or maybe, just maybe, she's trying to attract the non-rapist sort of guy who'd take notice of her looking all fine and strike up a conversation and maybe ask for a date. You know, like 99% of us do?

(edit typo)

baldrad · 2013-03-29T21:13:39+00:00

this is a very difficult question. Here is why, there is no real "trigger" that will cause someone to rape another person. No special combination that causes it.

Now yes certain clothing do result in higher sexual thoughts. Clothes that highlight curves, the chest and ass regions will send off signals of sexual readiness/willingness.

Now the thing is, and let me say this clearly NOT EVERYONE IS A RAPIST, but there are rapists out there and that will heighten their sexual arousal and they will be more likely to rape.

2013-03-30T00:09:37+00:00

Okay. I hate getting into these discussions, but fine.

It is likely some rapists of a specific type take clothing into account. We know that most rapes are committed by a small part of the population, and they offend multiple times. Studies do show that rape rates in the warmer months do, in fact, increase. This makes it at least a bit more likely that clothing has an impact on rape. It may even be down to the dynamics of removing it, for all we know.

While I do not believe we live in anything close to a 'rape culture' as a whole because of the lack of ubiquity of this mindset, something similar likely does exist within small and rural communities (see Steubenville) and is probably linked to religiosity and lack of education as a rule, as it is known that religiosity correlates heavily to the ascription to the just-world hypothesis. As such, rapists very likely could use manner of dress a tool to make it more likely that they get away with rape in the first place.

rightsbot · 2013-03-29T21:06:17+00:00

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giegerwasright · 2013-03-29T21:48:25+00:00

I think that the clothing thing is one of the least important mitigating factors. The important thing is awareness of one's surroundings and one's company and how they may interact with certain stimuli. If you're going to a biker roadhouse, best not to dress like a Pussy Cat Doll. If you're walking home through a poorly lit and low trafficked area, do so safely or in company.

logrusmage · 2013-03-29T21:53:38+00:00

Do we know for a fact that clothing has zero impact on the likelihood of rape?

Yes, actually. Their have been plenty of studies done on this.

themountaingoat · 2013-03-29T22:36:58+00:00

It certainly would effect the possibility of convicting someone of rape in a date rape type situation. If you go out to bars looking and acting like you want to hook up it is far more likely that you actually consented to sex rather than being taken advantage of while drunk (this is of course if we don't have any other evidence either way).

Mr_Rivers · 2013-03-30T00:06:28+00:00

Seen as feminism teaches us that we are all potential rapists, you just have to ask yourself whether or not you would rape someone who looked attractive or someone who didn't look attractive.

As potential rapists, we should know what we like, Right?

ghebert001 · 2013-03-30T02:43:26+00:00

Clothing may very well have an impact on whether or not a woman is raped. Some rapists might be targeting women with skirts due to easier access...so not necessarily slutty outfits. I think the questions we should be asking are "how much did you drink?" and "did you consent to sex at first but after regretting the act withdraw that consent?".

2013-03-30T12:56:43+00:00

If rape is about power and control, with sexual desire being a secondary motivation, it follows that the potential rapist would pick out an easy victim. Someone who's drunk, or looks small and weak, or alone. If picking out an easy victim makes sense, it would also follow that a victim who is wearing clothing that is easy to remove would be high priority for the potential rapist. A girl wearing a mini skirt or one of those short dresses that shows off curves would therefore be a far easier victim than one wearing tight jeans and a belt. You wouldn't blame a woman for WEARING that type of clothing, because it's sold everywhere and very popular with women who want to impress a crowd and feel sexy for herself. BUT all these people saying that a certain wardrobe has "no" influence are clearly deluding themselves. Victim blaming shouldn't happen, but you also wouldn't take out a wallet with a fat stack of cash in 100 dollar bills and start flashing it in a room full of strangers just to impress a few of your friends.

amishbreakfast · 2013-03-29T21:54:31+00:00

/r/rapeprevention /r/clothespolice /r/muslimclerics /r/whiteknights /r/teachwomennottogetraped etc --->

Seriously, this shit has nothing to do with us.

Title	The Question That May Never Be Asked
Author	amishbreakfast
Upvotes	4
Comments	45
Date	March 29, 2013 9:05 PM UTC (13 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/mensrights/comments/1b9jxt/the-question-that-may-never-be-asked/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/the-question-that-may-never-be-asked.1609347 https://theredarchive.com/post/1609347

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