This story is a good reminder of this fact. Most rapists aren’t the creep coming in through the window at night; they’re a friend or relative. So gross but at least there was a positive resolution to this story.

Oh yes, the what-were-you-wearing, what-time-was-it, why-were-you-alone-at-night crap- I got all of that in the situation in which I was describing being sexual harassed in the park near my house. I was really stunned actually at the response. I’ve not really been able to respect a damn thing about that person again.

i’m sure more women would speak out if there wasn’t this constant backlash of “false reports happen a lot, women lie!” and various other types of obfuscation and bullshit from rape-apologists and women-haters. most of the young women i know have stories like these—they are just very careful of who they share these…

Rape is about control because it’s the domination that gets them off. It’s not about being denied a specific act, or a specific person, or sex in general. It is the forcing someone to submit to them that they like. I had literally just finished the exact same sex acts with my rapist and was leaving when he raped me.…

Lots of hugs to you. If this was ten years ago, no wonder it didn’t occur to you. It’s way more common these days. You were a victim of a crime and I hope the bastard rots in hell.

Thanks so much for saying all of this in such a thoughtful way! I’m sorry it happened, and it absolutely makes sense. In fact, it’s exactly what these stories usually sound like. Assholes- I just can’t imagine what it must take to look at another human and not see her as a human but rather as a body to which you are…

As I said elsewhere, rape is largely about asserting power and ego, rather than the satisfaction of the sex act itself.

I tell my kid that if she is separated from me in public and she can’t find someone wearing a nametag or uniform, to find another mommy and ask for help. Mommies get shit handled.

Just a guess, but I would not be shocked if the concept of “friendship” was a one-way street. This dude was probably all worked up with rage that this woman he was pretending to have a friendship with wouldn’t hook up with him even though he was being so very, very nice.

Not all Canadians. I look out all the time and intervene when required. Usually that just means standing there with someone and babbling until someone else leaves—but sometimes it means yelling and waving arms to scare someone off and force bystanders to pay attention. (I was a public librarian, though, and that kind…

On the one hand, I hate that women have to look out for each other like this, but on the other, GODDAMN I LOVE OUR UNCONDITIONAL PROTECTION AND LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. ;_;

I was assaulted by someone I considered a “good friend” in university.

A lot of women refer to their kids as their babies, even long after they’re grown up.

Rape is not a crime of passion. It is one of control.

That really does surprise me. It surprises me when straight dudes do it, but even more if it’s happening with gay dudes too. I mean, at some point, these guys are making a preference to have a sex with a drugged person for some reason. Why? Because it’s not just the guys that are having a hard time getting laid. So…

I cannot star this enough. There is so much strength, beauty (the inner kind if I have to make that clear) and greatness in the souls of black women. Of all women. This definitely brought the tears.

They honestly think they’re “owed” sex by any woman (or man, if they’re gay) whom they happen to fancy. And if said person doesn’t hand it over after the insertion of however many “friendship coins” that the guy deems sufficient, well, time to just take it. It’s all the victim’s fault for not wanting to jump on his…

Serious high five to the restaurant for real. Everybody handled this situation like a pro.

We’re always told to fear strangers, but most assaults are by people we know and trust. Because they’re the ones we let get close to us. I hope he rots too.

These women are awesome. And the restaurant handled that perfectly. How awesome that they were able to verify via camera. But I’m just so stunned that it would be the gal’s good friend. What a jerk. What are guys thinking this way? Who wants to have sex with sleeping girls? I just never understood rape drugs. Makes no…