As our series on sexual assault continues, we'll find that some of the polling statements are more easily agreed upon than others. Last week's poll included one of those! But before we get to the details below the fold, a quick recap of last week's conversation is in order.
Last week's comments focused on the statement Most rapists commit rape for sex. We had some disagreement that this statement is false in the diary itself but the back and forth conversation was limited. It was later in the afternoon that a diary was published and, though not recommended, contained the bulk of the conversation I had hoped to have in the series itself.
It's great that the series is providing the spark for more conversation but this one seemed very removed from what I had hoped to accomplish. I want to fully address the mythology of rape by exposing how certain ideas have little scientific validation.
Instead, what we seemed to have accomplished is to divide the conversation between those who agreed that the statement was false in the series diary and those that disagreed with the statement in the afternoon diary. Though back and forth conversation happened in both diairies, the conversation in the second diary was far more adversarial. There was definitely a lot of talking at each other. There was a certain amount of preaching going on as well, that kind of I know because I know and therefore you should know better statement that really has no response. I can't just change my mind because your mind is already made up. And you won't just change your mind because my mind is already made up.
That's the kind of commenting I hope we can refrain from making. It is so tempting to tell each other that you are just plain wrong. If we are going to change anyone's mind, it is going to happen incrementally.
A couple of Kossacks have tried explaining to me the problems with the studies that I have referred to. Those that have sent private messages I have asked to bring their concerns to the forefront in today's comments. I don't want to have this conversation in private. I want it out in the open. And if and when you manage to change my mind, it will happen in a public forum and I will gladly let you know that you have succeeded. I hope that those that have strong disagreements with the information I am presenting will do the same if and when they ever understand my point of view.
Onward to today's poll and a conversation about last week's statement, Rape can happen to anyone.