What can be learnt from this? Kim McGregor from Rape Prevention Education (aka Rape Crisis) has some ideas:
As the scandal snowballs, an Auckland rape prevention group says it has received several rape and sexual abuse complaints against sportspeople but the women are unwilling to tell police.Sadly some in league think the problem lies with the victims:
Rape Prevention Education director Dr Kim McGregor is calling for New Zealand sports unions to meet with her group to try to prevent sexual assaults.
[Former Kiwi Hugh] McGahan went on to say the problem was a societal issue.Thank goodness for people like McGregor though:
"This obviously goes on week in, week out, in the bars in New Zealand.
"Sports stars, musicians, actors, they are targeted. Sports stars have all been through the education process. When will the education process start with the young girls?"
...Former Kiwis coach Frank Endacott believes women approached players about previous liaisons "because they smell some money at the end of the rainbow".
He said players were warned about the impact of public and media scrutiny on their lives.
"There's a lot of temptation out there and you've just got to be aware of them."
...But Kim McGregor said: "We keep blaming women for 'getting themselves raped'. They are not 'getting themselves raped' - they are raped by offenders."It'll be interesting to see if the sporting bodies do take up Rape Prevention Education's offer. I hope so.
Her Auckland-based rape prevention group called for the New Zealand Rugby League and New Zealand Rugby Union to discuss player education with her members.
She applauded Australian NFL's dealing of the sex scandal and subsequent action.
And if you feel like wading through some pretty nasty rape myth stuff before you get to the goodies, James from Editing the Herald has taken on some of the particularly awful Your Views on the Herald website on this matter. MASSIVE TRIGGER WARNING.
6 comments:
I wish we had a "like" function here, a la Facebook :)
I think she's a courageous lady, and if the various sporting codes had any brains, they'd take her up on her offer.
I can't even read those links - I find this apologist, blaming bullshit just to hard to deal with.
Something about this particular round of media rape blame has really triggered something in me. I discussed it with Mr Moose and he encouraged me to volunteer for Rape Crisis, but I'm not sure if I could do it...I would be so angry. I can hardy see straight now, and it's 3 days after my outburst about it.
Something about this particular round of media rape blame has really triggered something in me. I discussed it with Mr Moose and he encouraged me to volunteer for Rape Crisis, but I'm not sure if I could do it...I would be so angry. I can hardly see straight now, and it's 3 days after my outburst about it.
Me too, Moose - I kind of feel psychologically embattled by it, if that makes sense. I just can't understand men who basically wish harm on women. It's just callous and horrifying.
Hi A Nonny Moose!
I work (very part-time)for Rape Crisis, and I think you may be surprised about what a positive place it is - I guess because the emphasis is on being inclusive (it's really great that I work with men and women there) and that we are talking about education and prevention. I won't pretend it isn't heartbreaking sometimes though...
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