We all have a duty as members of society to challenge anti-social behaviours.

Leon thinks it is ok to turn one's back and say "there will always be bad apples, there's nothing I can do!!"

I do not agree.

It's that simple, Leon.

If you can't accept that you might be wrong on anything you'll never grow.

I hope you're not this narrow-minded if you're applying to colleges.

@ Leon: "Jamiet, the law is in your way."

Rape, as you acknowledge, is against the law. Yet the majority of rapists escape prosecution. Likewise, it's possible that I could burgle my neighbours and not be caught. Why don't I take that risk? Tell me.

It is the man's fault. That is why they are put in jail. However, they can only be put in jail after they rape someone. That is why the victim needs to take precautions and learn self-defense should those precautions fail. Do you have an alternate to the justice system, wjessop?

We do look down on rapists, Jamiet. Still, it's not like we know who is or will be a rapist.

Answer my question, Leon. What stops me taking the risk of robbing my neighbours? Not all robbers get caught. Tell me what it is that actually stops me.

wjessop, it is you who hold on to narrow-minded views. Tell me when you have accepted you were wrong.

Jamiet, please tell me how you know that the majority of rapists escape prosecution. Where are the statistics. Where do these statistics come from? I am assuming that some of these escape prosecution because the woman is afraid to go to the police. If they do not report it to the police, what can the police do to catch the perpetrator?

Not all robbers get caught, but if you steal enough times, chances are you will eventually be caught.

I publicly accepted I was wrong just the other day in the Northern Ireland Secretary thread.

Most law-abiding citizens would not be willing to take that risk.

And I hereby accept that I was wrong about Cuban human rights.

I don't see why being a law-abiding citizen clashes with being able to accept we can be wrong.

Humans naturally make mistakes and get things wrong. It's what makes us human.

It's a developmental process.

Adolescent arrogance is of course a natural process too. For some it lasts longer than others.

I never said that abiding by the law clashes with humility. I don't know where you got that from.

And I believe that you are every bit as arrogant as me.

@ Leon: It is very well documented that rape is under-reported. In the UK, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) calculated that only 18% of rapes are reported to the police. I trust their figures to be within the ball park of accuracy. I personally know four women, who are friends of mine, who have been raped. Of those four, only one reported the rape to the police. In that one case, a suspect was actually arrested but no prosecution was brought.

Society has a duty to the women in society to challenge sexist ideologies, to challenge pro-rape thinking, and to support victims of rape to give them the confidence and security to report the offence in the first place. Surely, even if we cannot stop rape altogether, we can support victims of rape to make it easier for them to report it?

I am proud that recently, actual rapist, and pro-rapist campaigner, "Roosh V." proposed to hold an event in Newcastle, near where I live. The event was shut down and did not take place because over 1,000 people had promised to show up and protest against it. THAT shows you the power of society. Society can effect change, and it must.

Jamiet, you don't rob your neighbours because you are a wuss.

.... and Roosh was never going to turn up. He's a reality troll. He makes a living winding people up.

Roosh is a rapist who belongs in jail.

As I said, if the women are for whatever reason unwilling to report rape, society cannot coax them to say that they are raped. If there was no prosecution for your friend, then what makes you so certain that she was speaking the truth? False accusations of rape are just as big a problem as under-reporting. For example, Mark Weiner was held in jell for 2.5 years before being vindicated. Meanwhile, his accuser remains free despite ruining the man's life. Thing of the social stigma surrounding him. The court generally holds a guilty until proven innocent attitude towards suspected rapists.

You make it seem like "pro-rape thinking" is a societal norm. In fact, it is only practiced by an extreme minorities. Extreme minorities will always exist.

*Think of the social stigma

@ Leon: I believe them.

"False accusations of rape are just as big a problem as under-reporting."

Prove this. I think you are wrong,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fh0qiHlrT0Q

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/11905639/Teenager-falsely-accused-of-rape-commits-suicide.html

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/crime/my-mom-died-thinking-im-rapist-man-wrongfully-convicted-rape-released-prison

What about the girl who carried around a mattress? Remember that story? Ruined the guy's life and almost got away with it.

As for why there was no prosecution, it was because they arrested someone, but then they held a series of ID parades. My friend (my girlfriend at the time) identified the culprit and was completely certain that he was the one. Later the police told us that he was their main suspect. Unfortunately, two other victims, ID parades, couldn't be sure of the suspect. On that basis, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to bring a case.

"However, they can only be put in jail after they rape someone. That is why the victim needs to take precautions and learn self-defense should those precautions fail."

A shooter can only be put in jail after they shoot someone. That is why all the victims, including elementary school children should carry guns, in case the precautions fail.

Rape victims aren't always grown, they aren't always able to defend themselves. Putting the onus on the potential victims is foolish and unreasonable. Men that commit these crimes are monsters, they are sick disturbed individuals, and making excuses only encourages others who may share their warped desires.

@anyone who thinks otherwise, lets say god forbid one of your daughters/sisters/mothers/friends got raped by someone because their car broke down, or a "friend" drugged them, or any other endless ways that shit happens. Would you tell be telling the police to let the rapist go because your loved one had it coming for not being more aware and going around dangerous people, or would you want his ass prosecuted/dead?

And the answer isn't self defense. Escalation is a real problem. If all potential victims started carrying pepper stray then rapists would start using long rang tasers, or bean bag guns. There's always a more dangerous/illegal method, same with guns as a defense against shooters. In theory it's nice, and self defense and awareness isn't a bad thing to practice, but neither is it foolproof or the answer.

And back to real-life shit, I'll check this in a few days to see how many of you sick fuckers try and justify shaming victims.

@ Leon: Three news stories do not prove your claim.

Well said, Jmo.