Yes, we should treat rape cases more like murder cases: by removing the statute of limitations restriction.

If one party is named then the opposing party should be. Perhaps, the argument for naming names can be encapsulated by the following story: http://www.express.co.uk/ne...

There should be no naming of anyone until an investigation is complete. Not accused, nor accuser.

Sexual assault has become a political crime, not a civil crime, much as AIDS was converted from a medical condition to a political condition back in the '80s and '90s. Williamson is absolutely correct when he assets that rape isn't a crime so much as a metaphor, just as AIDS was a metaphor for homophobia. Rape isn't a crime women, as women, want punished any more than AIDS was a disease gays, as gays, wanted cured. Why don't inner city blacks rail against a "murder culture" the way feminists do the "rape culture", whatever that is? There was no organization marching for heart disease awareness the way ACT-UP did for AIDS awareness.

In Britain accusers are anonymous but not the accused. With false rape allegations at 33% it is time for change.

I'm torn on this one. I think it's important to protect the innocent, but to keep accusers accountable. Perhaps a serious penalty - prison time - for claims found to be fraudulent? I'd like to see that in tort reform as well, at least for egregious cases.

That's "no" to outing the accuser unless she's proven fraudulent, assuming a fair investigation/trial, etc. Then all bets are off. The current system of many universities of handling it internally an not involving police isn't right either.

I believe it is a person's responsibility to take care of themselves. By that I mean, whether man or woman, if you know an area is dangerous don't go walking there alone at night.
If certain parties, venues etc. have a rep for women to be a dangerous, unsafe, unhealthy situation ....avoid it.
However, that being said some things are unavoidable.
It is tragic that women have to apologize or feel guilty for the horrific actions of some men.

You know most rape victims know their rapist, right? It doesn't usually happen because they're walking drunk down a scary alley at night wearing little tiny shorts that eggs on a man who just can't control himself at the sight.

As the last two sentences of my comment stated, some things are unavoidable. Which means we, as women, do not have control of others.

Yeah, it's just the entire rest of your post used the usual argument that paints the rapee in the bad light...if only she had done THIS! And again, it's like 90% of cases where she knows the attacker, not a lot of rapes would be averted doing things another way. I think it's a nice defense mechanism people use, we do it all the time...when someone dies of a heart attack we look to see why, then as long as it pertains to us we're fine. And in the case of rapes it's kind of comforting to think if only you live your life this way it won't happen to you...except for 90% of the cases. So you might as well just live your life.

Oh go take a hike. It most certainly does not, but you are obviously a moron and not capable of reading comprehension. People absolutely have to be responsible for themselves and for you to turn that statement around shows what a complete idiot you are. No one is BLAMINING ANYONE, that is except you

Hey dummy, how would a woman be responsible for themselves if it weren't for watching out for trouble? So yeah, you're sort of saying that, just not in so many words, as people like you tend to do.

By the way genius, you did say this and I must quote:

"If you know an area is dangerous don't go walking there alone at night. If certain parties, venues etc. have a rep for women to be a dangerous, unsafe, unhealthy situation ....avoid it"

Gee, if only I could understand what that meant!

Like I said, you are an idiot, of course, you don't understand.

And since I can't understand, why should women avoid the dark alleys, since you brought them up? Do a lot of abused 15 year olds run into their creepy uncles in random dark alleys, is that how it works?

A really good defense against rape, as I see it, is get really fat. No one really wants to rape a fatty.

Thin people get raped and it's THEIR fault!

Why don't women stop going to male sponsored parties on, or off, campus? If men are 1 in 4 rapists, why do women keep showing up to their parties? If 1 in 4 women get raped, then why go to frat parties? Aren't frat guys mostly rapists? Why would women put themselves in a position to be raped willingly (that's so hot)?

I'm sure the women's groups have rape signs hanging all about campus, right? Don't you girls carry about mattresses on your backs while going to and from class these days (pretty sexy - I might add)? Some might say that women have a history of going to male sponsored parties, getting drunk beyond their ability to hold their own, getting slutty and getting laid. Can you say "fifty shades"? Then, the next day, women wake up with 'the regrets' and call that rape. Hmmm. I smell BULL CHIT!

I thought men and women were equal. Are you telling me that women can't go to men's parties without a man protecting them? Doesn't that go against the "women can do anything that men can do - but even better" feminist mantra? Do women, once again, need male chaperones when going on dates with men?

If men can defend themselves from rape and women can do anything that men can do, I just can't see the problem women have with rape. You don't see men running around in a rape crisis, do you? Nope. Why? Because men can defend themselves. I wonder why women - since we're equal - since women can do anything men can do - somehow need protection from men at parties? I have a concealed carry permit, pack a .45 and will shoot the living chit out of any guy that attempts to stick his wiener in my bun. I've declared a no wiener zone around my buns (not that there's anything wrong with buns that enjoy wieners). Why, since we're equal, can't women do the same - with their tuna taco?

Feminists told me that women are equal to men - yet whenever women have a problem, they seem to want men to fix it for them. Doesn't this make women entitled, bratty, overgrown children - with a 'honey do' list? Shouldn't women be responsible for their desire to get drunk and get laid - just like guys? Many a man wakes up the day after, next to a "regrettable sexual encounter", and doesn't file false rape charges. Why? Because men take responsibility for their own actions. Women, when they feel they've slutted it up a bit too much (put their all too obvious lack of virtue at risk of exposure), will always blame the disposable male - with rape charges none the less.

Let's drop the subterfuge, 'ladies'. Women aren't equal to men. Men can protect themselves and women can't. Why do you think women are so invested in brainwashing men into believing that women can do anything that men can do - so long as men protect them while doing so?

Anything that bleeds for seven days and doesn't die is pure evil. Long live tuna tacos.

Ladies - are you equal to men or are you not? Do you want men to bow on bended knee - sacrifice their lives for you - while you continue to manipulate and walk all over them?

This is what women want: Destroy men but keep their disposability, sperm and infrastructure building utility. Create an environment in which men feel they need to sacrifice their lives for the false, contrived love of a woman. Wait...

Figures you'd post misogynistic bile like this as a 'guest', would you say this to your own mother, or sister? Can't believe you seriously feel qualified to comment on an article regarding feminism with a degrading branding of a brave protestor as "pretty sexy", repeated use of the word slutty, topped with shaming women for sexual behaviour with gross virtue references... and then... then this happened.
"Feminists told me that women are equal to men - yet whenever women have a problem, they seem to want men to fix it for them. Doesn't this make women entitled, bratty, overgrown children - with a 'honey do' list?"
The author of this revolting comment seems to have clue what rape means outside of a campus. The fact is rape doesn't just happen at parties; it happens in family homes, in churches, in schools and in workplaces. Note; a lot of it happens sober. The issue is that men are predominantly doing the raping, why should women fix that? How on earth are they meant to fix that? It's only logical that an issue perpetuated within masculine groups be examined, and then remedied by men themselves. Did someone break up with you badly? You seem to have a vagina vendetta, you should probably sort it out bro.

I just vomited a little in my mouth reading this, thank god I don't live in 'murica with all these crazies

Oh, how I envy you.
-Sickened & Stuck Here

Right, but anonymous until proven fraudulent. Knife cuts both ways.

For every day suffered in jail by the falsely accused, let the false accuser suffer twenty. Like that better? I do. Want to debate me? Give it a try.

Ha ha, you seem crazy.

no, I disagree. keep the identities of the accused anonymous. The idea is to protect, not to expose.

Unless they are fraudulent. Then publish names and prosecute as any criminal.

publish? never. we'd have to rely on the state to say what is fraudulent and what isn't. there have been cases where new evidence doesn't come to light until years later, decades sometimes.

I do agree with prosecuting as criminal.

Feminism, the belief that no rape victim should be ashamed of anything they might have done coupled with the belief that we need to protect the identities of rape accusers to keep them from being ashamed for anything they might have done.

A slight tangent, but one group of victims never mentioned are the young women who have bought into the "I really didn't want to but did any way and now I wish I hadn't = rape" thing. Maybe they made a bad decision, and that certainly would be cause for some bad feelings and self-reflection, but instead they honestly believe they have experienced a traumatic rape and, even worse, "the system" is ignoring them. This is a whole level of anxiety, stress, drama, etc. they are going through unnecessarily, that before "rape culture" days would have been covered by saying to themselves, "that was stupid, and I'm never doing that again."

Liberal feminist here, have a rape victim in my family, and agree wholeheartedly with naming rape victims. All sexual assault needs to come out into the light and be addressed legally and all victims should be encouraged to go the legal route. The RS cluster**** exemplifies that.

You make quite a leap from "naming rape victims" and encouraging to go the legal route. Forcing people who have been sexually assaulted to come forward publicly can have only one result, less reported assault and rape.

Feminists can form an alliance with Islam and introduce sharia in colleges; adulterers will be stoned to death.

The punishment for a false accusation should equal the punishment for a rape.

I don't wish to sound cynical, but I have to wonder, in the hookup culture that prevails on most college campuses, is claiming to be raped a sort of status thing? Something like "that man wanted me so much, he FORCED himself on me." I know lots of college-age women, but most of them don't sleep around (or at least they don't talk about it), so I'm just trying to understand the mentality of college women today. Sex itself appears to be pretty devoid of meaning, but forced sex is another matter.

Of course it isn't. Of COURSE being raped is not status thing. Of course the people in your circle will not sleep around, as people primarily interact with those who think the same way as they do. Sex is casual for us. Rape is not casual. Rape is an incredibly serious accusation and is never, ever said lightly. Nobody I know has ever accused anyone of rape. We do not - I repeat, in case you're confused - see being forced into a sexual assault as a status symbol.

Very classy.

The answer to your question is undoubtedly NO!
Your friends don't want to believe you. If you are a party girl, they say you just drank too much or you are attention seeking. If you are a good Christian girl, they say you are just regretting your own sin. Either way, it doesn't matter who you are, you as the rape victim will be accused.

If I can generalize a little: Men tend to brag about accomplishments (I bought a new ___, I got a promotion, I ran the marathon), women tend to brag about what they endured - roughly speaking, men want to be admired, women want sympathy - both are attempts at status. So, yeah, claiming to have been a rape victim is a way for a certain type of woman to gain status - sexy enough to excite a man in a big way, but (boo hoo) also a Victim needing our love and support (and a really mean judge). These women certainly cannot brag about (or lament) the loss of their virginity as in times past.

I would say yes, it probably is. The same thing happens in veterans groups, where someone lies or embellishes their story and puts on ribbons they didn't deserve. The result is they get lots of praise, sympathy, support, and their word gains more influence in the group. A similar thing is happening with feminist groups. Lie about being raped or embellish on being asked out for coffee in an elevator, and you become a celebrity in feminism. Start a Kickstarter to raise money, write a book, get hired at Gawker, order a "man tears" coffee mug, and post bigoted things on Twitter with no repercussions because apparently "only men can be sexist".

Feminist are changing the meaning of rape. Andrea Dworkin considers all sexual intercourse between men and women to be rape by the man. Rape used to mean forcible rape, now it seems to include a regretted sexual escapade. Forceable rape is a crime, consensual sex you would prefer hadn't happened is not a serious crime. It is not a crime at all. That is why Obamas DOJ is forcing rape to be dealt with on campus and not be the police. Colleges can convict men of rape for sexual behavior which is not forcible rape or anything remotely like it. That is also why feminists dont want women to have to report rape to the police .

By feminist standards, I have been "raped" three times.

I'd like to preface this by saying "rape" by feminist standards = regretful, but consensual sex that is used as a means to guilt men into feeling bad for having casual sex and being male. Also, people can be too drunk to give consent, but that does not mean that ALL drunk people cannot give consent, and the proceeding post keeps these assumptions in mind.

In addition, no one, myself included, should have any tolerance for actual rape, and if you don't report or try to solve ACTUAL rapes, then you are scum.

Anyways, it is amazing in all the cases of (feminist defined) "rape" how often it is actually not rape. Most of the time, it is simply regretful drunken sex that may be gossiped about in the victim's friend group for a little bit. It could lead to some real bullying, but that's another issue entirely. By drinking or going to a party, you are running the risk of blackouts, embarrassing sex, and/or fights, regardless of gender.

When I was "raped," I got way too drunk to function. A sober girl (ironically, a feminist) who always showed up to parties when I drank (her friend would text her when I got too drunk) would take advantage of me in my drunken state.Of course, in my drunken state, I consented. But the mornings after were horrible, like I had done something totally wrong.

My friends still make fun of me for it to this day. But do I deserve it? I think so. This experience actually helped me control my drinking and realize what I was doing at parties was bad. I realized this was preventable, and I chose to pursue this choice throughout my drunken states.

Is it my fault? 100% absolutely. I recognized the risks in binge drinking. I could have caused harm to someone, someone could have harmed me; in these cases I was "raped." Nobody forces you to drink, or go to parties. Choices breed consequence.

But is anyone coming to my rescue? No. Should they? No. If I was a woman, would they? Absolutely, yes.

People need to realize that their choices do in fact have consequences. Drinking is a choice. Starting a fight is a choice. Sex is a choice. Think through the potential outcomes of your choices before you make them. Its almost as if most of the consequences you have in life stem from choices and can be prevented with a little personal responsibility rather than blaming a Patriarchal boogeyman. Funny, huh?

Word politics and word changing are ruining life for all, and the change in the definition of rape is a very visible outcome.

The left always tries to change the meaning of words so it becomes more of a problem. If 1% of the women on campus are actually raped, it is not the kind of problem that it is if 20% are raped. Hence, change the use of the term so that there is now a problem worth addressing.

You can see the same thing with obesity. Obesity used to refer to a 5" 7' guy who weighed 300 pounds. Now, that guy is obese if he weighs more than 160 pounds. Hence, we now have an "obesity problem" where none existed before and the "do gooders" are happy to spring into action to fix this new problem.

Always, always, always, demand the left define the term they are using and always challenge their statistics. Another example: there is some kid on a TV commercial claiming 1 in 5 US children go to bed at night not knowing where their next meal is coming from. He wants us to believe that 1 in 5 children in the US is not getting enough to eat. That is blatant nonsense and needs to be challenged hard.

Thanks, Kevin, for another superb article. I can only wish that I could express myself as clearly, succinctly, and intelligently as you do on such a consistent basis. Always educational, and a great read to boot!

Good.

I used to have your perspective on locked histories, but having it public does invite nastiness from the oh-so-tolerant leftists. Carlos' snark was humorous...

Oh, I understand, MA. I look at the history of sketchy commenters frequently. I can also be trollish, at times, but I'm past the point of civility with dedicated leftists. I just denigrate and ridicule them now.