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Does America Have a Rape Culture Problem?

AND WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT? By LIZ GUNN || I heard an alarming statistic on the news this morning that one in five women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Maybe I’ve heard this before; maybe I’ve become desensitized because I hear statistics like this…

john hawkins alleged rape

AND WHAT, IF ANYTHING, IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT?

liz gunnBy LIZ GUNN || I heard an alarming statistic on the news this morning that one in five women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Maybe I’ve heard this before; maybe I’ve become desensitized because I hear statistics like this so often. This is an example of what we call the “rape culture” that America has somehow adopted.

Like with the latest allegations against Bill Cosby, I can’t deny that my first reaction was to brush it off as someone looking for their 15 minutes of fame or money. First off, because there are no criminal charges – which seemed suspicious. And maybe secondly because I didn’t want to believe that one my favorite figures from my childhood was capable of such deplorable behavior.

I still don’t believe or not believe what’s going on with Bill Cosby. We may never know the whole truth, considering these things happened more than 20 years ago. Another factor into the idea that we live in a rape culture though is “victim shaming”.

Instead of questioning the suspect, we tend to question the victim. Why did she wait? Why aren’t there criminal charges? What does she stand to gain from coming forward with this now?

Why is our first reaction to think that someone would make this up?

Fortunately, I don’t know what it feels like to be a victim of sexual assault. What I do know is that it’s every woman’s worst fear. And for those who have survived it, I have to think it’s their worst nightmare.

Here are some pretty alarming statistics that shine a little light on why an estimated 54 percent of all sexual assaults go unreported.

In 31 states, a rapist can sue for custody and visitation of a baby conceived during the criminal act of rape. Percentage of rapists who are never incarcerated? Ninety-seven percent. NINETY SEVEN.

There is only one state (Illinois) that recognizes the right of an individual to rescind consent during the act of sex. There are an estimated 400,000 untested rape kits collecting dust in police stations all over the country. Only two to eight percent of rape claims are falsely reported.

The fact is, rape isn’t being taken seriously in this country. Women in the U.S. are twice as likely to become a victim of rape as they are to get breast cancer. Many of our elected officials have blundered their way through talking about the topic – leaving us with terms like “emergency rape” and “legitimate rape”. You know, as opposed to say a “casual raping” or “illegitimate rape”.

I should point out that the term “emergency rape” was actually coined by a woman. I have to believe she was never a victim of sexual assault. This is just a good example of how Americans have grown either tolerant or desensitized to rape.

I’m not sure if it’s even rape that Americans have become tolerant of, as much as it is violence. We live in an aggression-obsessed culture where violence is something we see and hear on the news we tune into, in the sports we watch, in the movies we see, in the music we listen to – every single day.

Like most societal problems though, prevention starts at home. Young men need to be taught, by example first and foremost, to respect women. They need to learn how to cope with anger in a way that doesn’t lead to violence.

Young women need to know these startling statistics exist and what they can do protect themselves. They also need to know that if they are a victim of sexual assault, it is imperative for them to come forward. They need to know that there are no circumstances in which forcible sexual assault is okay. None.

As a country, we need to stop tuning it out. I get it. It makes me sick to hear about sexual crimes, crimes against children, violent and gruesome crimes. I usually turn the channel or scroll past the story. But until we admit that we have a rape culture problem, it won’t get any better.

With statistics like the ones above, our justice system is practically saying it’s not that big a deal. Perhaps the statistic of how one in every ten inmates gets raped in prison needs to be emphasized more often.

Rape kits are supposed to be available, and free, at any hospital. There is also a hotline you can call (1-800-656-HOPE) and a website you can visit for anonymous help or information.

Liz Gunn is a wife, mom, travel enthusiast, food snob, daydreamer and lifelong Gamecock fan. A graduate of the University of South Carolina, she lives in Columbia, S.C. with her husband and daughter.

***

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140 comments

Fecal Matters November 24, 2014 at 11:31 am

“Like most societal problems though, prevention starts at home. Young men need to be taught, by example first and foremost, to respect women. They need to learn how to cope with anger in a way that doesn’t lead to violence.”

If you saw the staggering statistics on the demographic most responsible for rapes, it might become clear as to why there is such a lack of respect for women by the #1 perpetrators of rape.

Reply
Smirks November 24, 2014 at 11:44 am

Demographics on what, reported rapes?

Wouldn’t be FITS without the inevitable “those darkies” comment.

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dj November 24, 2014 at 11:47 am

Where did FITS say that? What does this have to do with race?

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Smirks November 24, 2014 at 11:49 am

For an honor’s student, you sure don’t know how to read.

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3.75 November 24, 2014 at 11:52 am

Typical liberal.Everything is about race.

Smirks November 24, 2014 at 11:54 am

I’m not the one who brought up “demographics,” Sandi.

What college did you go to that gave you a 3.75 GPA without basic reading comprehension?

dj November 24, 2014 at 11:57 am

The University of Conservative Brilliance! :-)

Smirks November 24, 2014 at 12:01 pm

lol… Making up colleges too, eh?

If you turn your diploma over, what Chinese restaurant menu is printed on the back?

dj November 24, 2014 at 12:10 pm

‘diploma’? Try plural.

Dave Chappelle I'm Rick James November 24, 2014 at 12:11 pm

Try grammar.

those darkies November 24, 2014 at 12:00 pm

Why does a darkie cry during sex?

The mace.

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Fecal Matters November 24, 2014 at 12:13 pm

I wish the statistics weren’t what they are, but they are and we can’t turn a blind eye to the epidemic within the epidemic.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein November 24, 2014 at 12:25 pm

Demographics on what, reported rapes?

Determining the demographics of the perps of non-reported rapes would be a pretty neat trick, Chief.

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Smirks November 24, 2014 at 1:01 pm

My point is that we’re talking about demographics regarding an incomplete data set. The estimate is that 50-60% of rapes aren’t reported, though it varies depending on where you get the statistics from.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein November 24, 2014 at 1:13 pm

My point is that we’re talking about demographics regarding an incomplete data set.

Are you suggesting that the 15-25 year old demographic is being unfairly *targeted* by the accusers, while the victims of rape by the over 65 crowd decide en masse not to report?

dj November 24, 2014 at 11:45 am

Prevention starts in the ‘womb’.
Is there really ANYTHING more violent than a unborn child being ripped apart and destroyed on the consent of a mother?
The human life has been devalued in our society. Why should we be suprised by increases in rape and incest?

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Dave Chappelle I'm Rick James November 24, 2014 at 12:10 pm

“Why should we be suprised (sic) by increases in rape and incest?”

Hang on….are you implying that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between the increase in rape as a result of legalizing abortion?

I think its the other way around. I’m pretty sure we might have seen a small uptick in abortions as a result of rape. But I’m quite confident that there aren’t any “wannabe rapists” that decided to go forward with rape because they knew abortions were available.

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Inbreeding race horses November 24, 2014 at 12:16 pm

You don’t think having a hot sister doesn’t factor in?

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Less please November 24, 2014 at 11:48 am

Our children are brought up in a culture were violence is glorified and sex is a taboo. During prime time TV, I can watch people getting graphically stabbed in the face and mutilated, but showing a woman’s nipple will send the nation into hysterics. No wonder young people are so confused about how to deal with sexual situations.

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Smirks November 24, 2014 at 11:58 am

but showing a woman’s nipple will send the nation into hysterics.

The most hysterical ones are usually the ones looking up the nastiest fetishes imaginable in the comfort of their own home, thanks to the Internet.

If you need an example, just read some of GrandTango’s comments.

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Bill November 24, 2014 at 1:14 pm

They’re also usually the ones who don’t want women, but pretend they do in public.

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Sailor November 24, 2014 at 2:16 pm

Plus 10

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Idontthinkso November 24, 2014 at 2:03 pm

Disagree. One of the PROBLEMS is that untethered sex and the hook up mentality are NOT taboo. When sex in no longer sacred, the line between consensual and non-consensual becomes fuzzy.

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 2:26 pm

That’s BS.

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Idontthinkso November 24, 2014 at 6:37 pm

Thanks for your thoughtful, well thought out insight.

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:23 pm

She writes very eloquently. Not something I can say about you and your “fuzzy logic.”

You don't think. November 24, 2014 at 5:47 pm

When you try pushing abstinence on kids, they grow up having to find out about sex usually through other kids or porn on the Internet (neither are good sources for info on real world sexual behavior). So they hook up or take part in other risky behaviors. They also get pregnant way more, which leads to abortions. Throwing God at kids only leads to ignorance and problems down the road.

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Idontthinkso November 24, 2014 at 6:35 pm

“Throwing God at kids only leads to ignorance and problems down the road.” I never said anything about religion. I teach my kids that sex is meant for a man and woman who love each other deeply and are committed to each other.

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 7:59 pm

Oh, that’s so realistic. The way real life works…. not even on the right.

Idontthinkso November 25, 2014 at 9:54 am

That’s the way real life is SUPPOSED to work. Not all women are sluts like you.

SCBlueWoman November 25, 2014 at 11:26 am

Not all posters are whores like you either.

vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:30 pm

Supposed to work for whom? Everyone? It’s nice to have high ideals and values to strive towards, but to excuse talking down to and disrespecting a woman because she’s not living YOUR version of how life should be, you’re the epitome of arrogance and pride.

Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 6:02 pm

Sacred sex, huh? Since I don’t think you are pagan or wiccan or a practitioner of tantric yoga, I assume that’s something your preacher said he was doing the first time he rammed his righteous member into your young bunghole.

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:22 pm

Don’t peddle that sick BS as an excuse for your “ignorance.” You know full well rape is wrong. You just don’t want to call it rape because then you’d have to admit you’re a rapist.

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tomstickler November 24, 2014 at 12:02 pm

The terms “emergency rape” and “legitimate rape” were created by opponents of all abortions casting doubt on women seeking termination when rape was a legal exception to laws banning abortion.

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dj November 24, 2014 at 12:09 pm

’emergency rape’? That sounds like what you WHITE bikers did to Myrtle Beach before they ‘aborted’ your lawless asses. :-)

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Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 2:00 pm

Hey pogo. Still pushing the total fantasy that Tom Stickler is a stereotypical long-bearded, tatted-up biker. And ignoring the fact that all MB managed to do with the war against all bikers was lose tons of money from Harley Riders and allow Bikefest to get insanely out of hand. But the truth has never stood in the way of you attacking people, why should it suddenly do so now?

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hey buz the fag, go away November 24, 2014 at 2:19 pm

The Sports Tourism in MB and Horry County has more than made up for loss of Harley money and increased the quality of life for the local’s.

The truth has never stood in the way you attack, stalk, harass and voice defaming falsehoods about others , why should it suddenly do so now?

Fuck you. I am out of screen names Buz. This is the last one I have. Go find another victim.

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Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 5:46 pm

Sports tourism, eh? I have free tix to the Beach Ball Classic.

How bout chew?

Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 6:19 pm

Thanks for admitting you are pogo, btw.

TontoBubbaGoldstein November 24, 2014 at 12:29 pm

I heard an alarming statistic on the news this morning that one in five women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

TBG heard somewhere that 78% of all *social science* statistics reported by the media are made up out of thin air.

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:45 pm

Really? Where? Wanna cite that source, or are you just gonna complain about inane BS because you’re feeling uneasy about attention being called to the subject of widespread sexual violence?

That 1 in 5 is a Center For Disease Control statistic, BTW, but you wouldn’t have known that because you’re too busy feeling sad for rapists to look it up.
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/sv-datasheet-a.pdf

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TontoBubbaGoldstein November 25, 2014 at 10:35 pm

That 1 in 5 is a Center For Disease Control statistic…

Sorry, but it’s not.

“I heard an alarming statistic on the news this morning that one in five women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.”

is not the same as:

“In a nationally representative survey of adults:
Nearly 1 in 5 (18.3%) women and 1 in 71 men
(1.4%) reported experiencing rape at some time in their lives”.

Not to imply that TBG puts much faith in [probably] politically motivated surveys cited by the [definitely] politically motivated CDC, anyway

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 11:07 pm

The footnote says it’s a CDC stat: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/sv-datasheet-a.pdf

I’m sure the finding has been replicated elsewhere too. If 1 in 5 are raped, then 1 in 5 for sexual assault is going to be a conservative low-ball.

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 12:31 pm

Just look at most of these comments. The “men” in here don’t take rape seriously. This country has a serious problem and until women are considered equal and not objectified, the problem will continue. The boys will be boys mentality needs to be nipped in the bud. 1 in 5 women in the USA, 1 in 3 women world wide.

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dj November 24, 2014 at 12:37 pm

Stop killing your babies and we will listen. Until then , STFU!!!

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 12:54 pm

You STFU, ignoramus. I’ve never killed a baby. I’m not so sure you haven’t.

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My 2 November 24, 2014 at 12:58 pm

SLED is watching the person behind the “dj” name. So no worries.

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dj November 24, 2014 at 1:20 pm

What does SLED stand for?

CorruptionInColumbia November 24, 2014 at 5:04 pm

Stop, Let’s Eat Donuts

Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 2:07 pm

Then here’s a helpful hint for them. He’s “pogo” who used to post to The Sun News’ Opinion Blog (SNOB) and other online forums under several names. Unmistakable flaming style. Also: There are indications that he may be a member of either the Christian Identity Movement or Stormfront.

GUEST November 24, 2014 at 2:58 pm

A ‘member’ of my church, YMCA, different sports organizations and self-identified Conservative Republican.

Self-employed , former educator/coach , husband ,father and grandfather.

Not sure what either the “Christian Identity Movement or Stormfront” is however I am assuming they are radical or subversive organizations that you are trying to ‘connect’ me with to harm my family and I via these groups, law enforcement and /or the federal government?

Have a nice day Buz.

Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 5:43 pm

There is no real, verifiable “I” to you as long as you hide behinds so many fake names, pogo. So it doesn’t really matter what I say. However, you are in full alignment with the views of some seriously radical right-wing hate groups, according to the content of the majority of the comments I’ve ever seen from you.

GUEST November 24, 2014 at 9:36 pm

My attorney disagrees.He is taking steps to protect my family.

Smirks November 24, 2014 at 1:13 pm Reply
TontoBubbaGoldstein November 24, 2014 at 1:20 pm

Obligatory.

Heh!
+10

CorruptionInColumbia November 24, 2014 at 5:03 pm

Smirks, PLEASE, post this again and post it often whenever the topic of abortion is raging on a thread. I always wondered how much this may have happened. The hypocrisy of extreme religious nutters is a pattern that I have observed more times and in more ways than I could begin to count.

This is entirely believable. I hope the rabid anti-abortionists on here find time to read this from top to bottom. I bet some see themselves in this article.

Thank you for posting!

tomstickler November 24, 2014 at 6:58 pm

I can confirm similar stories to the ones in the “obligatory” article linked above, but not one has had her confidentiality betrayed.

Mike at the Beach November 25, 2014 at 1:30 am

You’re better than this, amigo. A bunch of anecdotal nonsense about hypocritical religious folks? Wow, who’s ever heard of such? Bears zero relationship to the core arguments on either side of the abortion issue.

Dr. Ignoramus November 24, 2014 at 1:45 pm

Yeah, but your party delights in it.

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 2:10 pm

Dr Ignoramus, how fitting.

LD November 24, 2014 at 3:15 pm

Let me see if I understand your comment– As long as abortion is legal in the US, rape is okay? dj you really have some mental issues.

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dj November 24, 2014 at 3:19 pm

Rape is NEVER ok. Just pointing out the hypocrisy in the outrage by women over rape when mother’s abort over 1 MILLION of their own children a year.

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The Ladies November 24, 2014 at 5:49 pm

I don’t think dj has any actual female companionship. No worries about him making a baby for those evil women to abort.

LD November 25, 2014 at 11:06 am

Rape and abortion are mutually exclusive of one another. There is no hypocrisy here. One is a violent crime, the other is a legal act. The real hypocrisy is those that care more about the “unborn” than the “born”. You are against women choosing to have an abortion, but the when the baby comes– where are you?

vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:14 pm

Translation: “I will bring up any other contentious topic to hide the fact that I don’t take rape seriously and don’t want to take responsibility for my lack of moral imperative to speak out against it.”

vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 11:17 pm

A woman/man/person/individual can be a hypocrite, but to apply that term to an entire gender is truly exposing your ignorance for all to see.

Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 5:44 pm

Ya THINK?

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dj's boyfriend November 24, 2014 at 5:42 pm

Most doctors who give abortions are men. So, thanks ,men, for killing all of those babies. Not content with just rape, huh?

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Watch your numbers November 24, 2014 at 1:00 pm

1 in 5 women in the USA are what ? : 1) raped 2)sexually assaulted
Women in India who are raped are sometimes killed by their family for dishonoring their name. Just goes to show that the grass ain’t always greener…

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Who Says That? November 24, 2014 at 2:07 pm

The grass is always greener in India.

~ No One Ever

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euwe max November 24, 2014 at 2:21 pm

We’re not raising men anymore. We’re raising Republicans.

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 2:36 pm

I raised real men and they aren’t Republicans.

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It's Raining Men November 24, 2014 at 3:06 pm

Yeah, right.

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James Fleming Jr November 24, 2014 at 10:59 pm

Bill Clinton is not a Republican!

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Role Playing FTW! November 24, 2014 at 3:24 pm

What’s a little rape between friends?

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:17 pm

A whole lotta PTSD.

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Toyota Kawski November 24, 2014 at 4:40 pm

would u like to see my Blue Balls? I just got back from ice fishing in Minn.

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James Fleming Jr November 24, 2014 at 10:59 pm

I agree but women should not expose their sexuality as a a selling feature.

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:16 pm

Because you’re a monster who can’t control his penis?

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:11 pm

Why are we calling them “boys” or “men”? They are MONSTERS!

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Numbers number numb November 24, 2014 at 12:52 pm

One in five are sexually assaulted. Slapping a woman on the ass is technically a sexual assault. Not defending either act but that statistic is inflammatory when the article is about rape.

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M Tyson to A Sharpton re: Cosb November 24, 2014 at 12:54 pm

Rape is a figure of speech

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My 2 November 24, 2014 at 12:57 pm

Blacks and Illegal Mexicans are the most common sickos to rape. Read a story the other day, illegal alien in North Carolina kidnapped and raped a 12 year old.

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 12:58 pm

Where in hell did you get that “statistic?”

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My 2 November 24, 2014 at 1:00 pm

I made it up all by myself after reading stats on reputable websites; which, by the way, mirror my assertion.

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 2:09 pm Reply
Cosby Gang of 13 November 24, 2014 at 12:57 pm

“We need to hurry up and sue that SOB. He is getting old and about to die. We can’t sue a dead guy.”

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CorruptionInColumbia November 24, 2014 at 1:19 pm

One more reason there needs to be a statute of limitations on all crimes. After a week or two, chances of any usable physical evidence have greatly diminished. After a year or five, it is almost a certainty (barring children being born of the incident) that there will be no physical evidence. Someone can make an allegation and ruin a successful person’s life. The accused may have had an ironclad alibi, such as having been at a bar or restaurant with numerous friends, a party, or some other venue. With the passage of time, those friends and family may not recall where they were on that day or night. Heck, the accused may not even recall that they had an ironclad alibi for the day they are accused of having committed an act. Seriously, unless it was your birthday, that of a close family member or friend, or like day of “importance” to you, how many of you can tell us exactly where you were and what you did on March 3, 2014? See what I mean? Justice delayed is justice denied.

Statutes of limitations would cut down on frivolous, reputation-destroying, accusations which even the accused may not recall they have an adequate alibi for. If it wasn’t important enough (to the victim) to report when it happened, then it shouldn’t have increased in importance (to the state) with the passage of time. Yeah, I’ve heard the excuses about having to overcome mental anquish and all of that but if someone is truly a victim, the law needs to be set up to compel them to come forward when it happens, when evidence is fresh, and when the most good can be accomplished in getting a predator off of the street to protect others. Bringing something up years, even decades later, places undue burden on the prosecution if the charges are real and on the defendant if they are not.

The Cos is a successful, well-off, man. He can afford to defend against these accusations, but it is costing him money not only in legal fees, but also lost gigs. What if he were a middle class person with a little savings and a regular job? Even if totally innocent, defending against one such accusation in court would wipe him out financially, taking everything he ever worked to have for himself and his family.

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9" November 24, 2014 at 2:09 pm

I was sexually molested(raped)as a young teen,by an authority figure, and respected member of the community.After years of no one believing me,I gave up.It’s called,’Soul Murder’.To find some sort of end to it all,I worked with abused children for about five years.I hope I helped,but it became too much for me to handle.

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CorruptionInColumbia November 24, 2014 at 3:03 pm

In cases such as the Sandusky POS, where verifiable attempts were made by the victim(s) to report the crime and were rebuffed by police or other authorities, yes, there should be an exception made. I’m sorry you had to endure what you did.

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dj November 24, 2014 at 3:04 pm

I have had some disagreements with you on different issues on FITS however I am sorry you went thru this. NO child should have to endure that.

Appears you are doing just fine and rest assured the children did indeed benefit from your experience. You probably saved lives.

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????????? November 24, 2014 at 2:37 pm

It’s state by state – and I have to be honest, I was surprised that SC does not have a statute of limitations for rape charges. GA, for instance, it’s 15 years.

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Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 5:37 pm

Felling sorry for the Cos, are ya?

Sounds like you are more interested in allowing guys to get away with rape if it happened long enough ago and you agree with them on some political or social issues, than you are with true justice.

Fuck that shit. There is no way in hell all these women would have ever subjected themselves to years of intimidation, threats, humiliation and career failures directly related to the 2005 trial, unless Cosby had really done the foul deeds of which he stands accused.

It’s a great irony that people who long for the days when a black man could be hung from a tree for looking too long at the ass of a white woman on the street are so damned protective of this old black con man who drugged and raped God knows how many women, most of them apparently white.

What if he’d never told black males to pull their pants up? What if he were totally aligned with Sharpton and Jackson on all issues? You’d be calling for his head on a platter, and you know it.

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CorruptionInColumbia November 24, 2014 at 5:46 pm

You seem to be making quite a few assumptions there, Buz. That is not normally what I expect from you. I never said that he didn’t do it, but I also know that it DOES happen where people, sometimes hoping to find their gravy train, will make accusations that are not true and perhaps may be inspired by others making such accusations to do the same.

I do find it suspect that someone will fail to report these things when they happen, but then years or ever decades later, all of a sudden have been victimized and need redress right now.

People make accusations all the time that do not place them in a favorable light, which in some cases have been proven to not be true.

Last time I checked, despite our Government’s attempts to change a lot of these things, “innocent until proven guilty” is still the law of the land. I’ll be waiting to see if he is proven guilty.

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Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 6:15 pm

I thought I was responding to Bible Thumper.

CorruptionInColumbia November 24, 2014 at 6:38 pm

Hi Buz! Reading around, I am not convinced that Cosby is an angel, but I also find some of the accusations downright laughable. In this story, http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20059561,00.html
, there are accounts by a Barbara Bowman where she alleges that she was drugged and/or otherwise molested by Cosby. I didn’t count them but it reads sort of like; “well one time we were alone and he drugged me fondled me/had sex with me, and then there was this other time where we were alone and he drugged and/or fondled me and maybe had sex with me, and then another time we were alone and again he drugged and/or fondled me/ had sex with me. Geeze, is she really that stupid???? Either she is incredibly stupid, something that occasionally is and should be painful, or she was getting benefits from her stupidity that at the time, made the alleged advances acceptable for her. This is the kind of stuff I am talking about. At the time, apparently it was no big deal or she wouldn’t have kept allowing herself to be in situations where these things would happen, again, and again, and again. Now, it is “poor me”. IF she didn’t take it seriously when it was happening, I sure as hell don’t take it too seriously in the here and now, many years later.

Is it possible these things happened and that Cos is a sleaze? Most definitely, but I have doubts as to the “force” elements at least in some cases such as Bowman’s.

Hollywood is a weird place. People will say and do anything to get publicity, and their face out there. Sometimes it pays off. Heck, I wonder how much Kato Kaelin has made just for being a freeloader at OJ’s place.

Buz Martin November 25, 2014 at 12:38 am

I understand your argument about Barbara Bowman, but oddly enough that is consistent with what has been said by several of Cosby’s accusers. He drugged them once and fondled or had sex with them, yet they continued to get together with him, and that was repeated each time.

Serial sexual predators are adept at profiling women for the ones who will take such abuse and not go to the cops. Seriously. It seems nuts to us because it IS nuts. It’s like the argument that because some women leave their abusers, others can easily do so as well. No, not all of them can break away like that. So a sociopath like Cosby would play on that, and also find ways to make the woman dependent on him. Giving money to them, if they are struggling, is one way to do it. Gets them addicted to the relationship, and also fosters self-loathing, like the thought of “Well, I’m a whore now, so what the hell?”

See how that works? Defile and debase them, then make them dependent and in the process further erode their sense of self-worth. I’m not calling the woman a whore. I’m just saying that he made her feel that way, and what he did to her is very much the way that pimps operate.

Now, also consider this: She took back her own life and empowered herself by agreeing to be one of the witnesses against Cosby in that PA courtroom back in 2005. Then she was denied the chance to testify by the settlement. So now, she feels safe in telling the whole story to the world. And I say good for her!

There will be more. Many more. The man is a monster. None of us are comfortable with that fact, but we’d better get used to it.

CorruptionInColumbia November 26, 2014 at 6:27 pm

Hi Buz! Sorry it took me a while to get back to you as I’ve been away from the computer for a day or so.

I will grant you that Cosby may be a first class turd, contrary to what I always thought of him.

With regard to women like Bowman who are played (or allow themselves to be played) in this manner, I keep thinking that they are free and 21 (or probably older). Whether we feel what people who are doing what we think Cosby may be doing with regard to scoping out his “prey” is right or not, these women are old enough to decide for themselves whether or not they wish to play that game or the domestic abuse game. While it surely pains close friends to watch this play out, and I have been the close friend on that end of the stick before, I disagree with the law being used to punish anything that “might” be considered getting into the territory of abuse of “using” someone. If they feel that the sexual stuff is worth whatever else they are getting in return and put up with this crap, time, and time, and time, and time, again; then that is on them. To come up and complain about it years later, when the financial and career benefits that they were enjoying for putting up with it have diminished or otherwise dwindled, is not a matter for the legal system to be bogged down with when there are too many cases of actual rape in the here and now going on.

If he drugs her and has sex with her against her will, hell yes, cut his nuts off upon being found guilty. If she keeps going into situations where any idiot would expect that this is going to happen again and again, and fails to report it in a timely manner, so sad to be her. That kind of acquiescence on her part is almost tantamount to her approval. If it wasn’t important to her when it was happening, the legal system would be quite correct in giving her the eye roll, now. This is especially true since there will be almost no evidence of her allegations. People (to include women) have some weird kinks and fetishes. Some like to be tied up and tortured with clothespins and other things. How do we know this wasn’t just a weird kink on her part that he was fulfilling?

As I noted on another thread earlier today, we have two (very mixed) messages from the feminists about this kind of thing. One is that women are equal to men and deserving of being treated and paid equally. I subscribe to this very much. The other, is that they are so damn stupid, ditzy, and incapable of managing their own affairs, especially sexual ones, that the law has to take a heavy-handed stance on POTENTIAL bad people who might “use” them, even with their own weird form of “consent”. Such is reflected in the recent CA law about what does or doesn’t constitute rape. I don’t see room for both doctrines, only one.

vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:40 pm

When there’s no hope for a trial, all that’s left is the court of public opinion, and with so many women coming forward any reasonable person can see that there is merit to the claim that Bill Cosby is a rapist. So stop already with the “innocent until proven guilty BS” – you’re a rape apologist. At best.

CorruptionInColumbia November 26, 2014 at 6:29 pm

I don’t know what Canada’s version of the “Bill Of Rights” says about “innocent until proven guilty” so I will give your apparent ignorance a pass.

9" November 24, 2014 at 2:41 pm

They can sue his estate,and as more women come out,it’s easier to believe.You can’t assume he’s a ‘good guy’ because he seems that way on television.This sort of thing happens everyday,but most people get away with it.

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CorruptionInColumbia November 24, 2014 at 1:01 pm

“Only two to eight percent of rape claims are falsely reported.”

I have serious doubts about that one. No, I don’t have a citation, but ask any cop about how many bs “rape” reports they take that are actually cases of the young daughter (or wife, or girlfriend of another) stepped out and is afraid they may now be pregnant and are trying to cover their tracks. “Failure to pay for services rendered” to prostitutes is also fairly common. Okay, I might be able to buy this one if it stays on the 8% end of the estimate.

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John November 24, 2014 at 1:03 pm

I always thought that failure to pay a hooker should be downgraded to shoplifting.

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TontoBubbaGoldstein November 24, 2014 at 1:18 pm

Breach of contract.

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Case Dismissed November 24, 2014 at 1:28 pm

Sounds fair. Go to court. Your honor, she said it was clean. It was not clean. It smelled bad. If you went into a deli and ordered a ham sandwich and it smelled bad would you pay? Or, your honor, what if you ordered a suit from Brooks Brothers and it didn’t fit as tight as you would like. Would you pay? You see, your honor, all I wanted was a nice tight fresh smelling suit and I didn’t get anything close to what I was promised.

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euwe max November 24, 2014 at 2:20 pm

“as is”

My 2 November 24, 2014 at 1:02 pm

What about the headlines whereas female school teachers are having group sex with male students?

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You're right. November 24, 2014 at 1:20 pm

Interesting point. I see articles about that DAILY. Female teachers busted for statutory rape of male students. Of course, none of that happened when I was in high school back in the 80’s. At least we had a smoking section for students…

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Ferguson & UVA November 24, 2014 at 1:13 pm

% of encounters where alcohol was involved, victim knew attacker, etc. are all elements that bring some clarity to that statistic. Were the women at UVA dragged to the frat house under duress? Rape, assault and violence are deplorable. Common sense would knock a big dent into that problem just as it would when perps are shot by cops.

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:52 pm

Like the common sense a man should have to be able to tell whether or not she wants to have sex?

A campaign that has seemingly had much success in lowering sexual violence up here in Canada asked – gasp! – that MEN NOT RAPE! Correlation is not causation, but after this campaign launched, SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORTS MAGICALLY DROPPED 10% in Vancouver.

http://www.theviolencestopshere.ca/dbtg.php

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Good Luck November 24, 2014 at 1:23 pm

As long as the world is run by child molesters and rapists, it will be hard to keep some regular people from acting like their leaders. Start at the top….

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Bible Thumper November 24, 2014 at 1:35 pm

Liz – “Fortunately, I don’t know what it feels like to be a victim of sexual assault.”

Are you so sure? Here is a definition from Wikipedia – Sexual assault takes many forms including attacks such as rape or attempted rape, as well as any unwanted sexual contact or threats. Usually a sexual assault occurs when someone touches any part of another person’s body in a sexual way, even through clothes, without that person’s consent.

That’s any body part in a sexual way with out consent.
I’ve sexually assaulted you before over the web….

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Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 2:12 pm

Sick.

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euwe max November 24, 2014 at 2:27 pm

When a man is engaged in the sex act, grunting.. gnnrrr gggg unh unh unh pant pant gasp.. the woman hears.. “I love you.. I’m going to protect you.. provide for you.. help raise our children…” when in the man’s mind he’s thinking…”gnnrrr gggg unh unh unh pant pant gasp.. “

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 2:30 pm

When women organism they produce oxytocin, which makes them bond with their partner. It’s the same chemical reaction that makes women bond with their children. Men do not have this, therefore, they don’t necessarily bond with their partner. It’s a cruel physiological joke.

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Fecal Matters November 24, 2014 at 2:56 pm

It’s orgasm, not organism. Guess it’s been so long since you had one, you forgot what they’re called.

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 3:16 pm

Thanks for catching the typo. Project much?

Fecal Matters November 24, 2014 at 3:48 pm

Pearl necklace much?

9" November 24, 2014 at 8:01 pm

Excuse me,but,this calls for some ZZTOPP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ne3XojNonEU

I didn't know that!!! November 24, 2014 at 3:37 pm

So that’s what that sticky stuff is called!

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 9:02 pm

I understand men do get a rush of vasopressin with orgasm though, which makes them more protective of their mate and children. Male animals who don’t have this chemical release aren’t social animals and just mate and move on.

I can’t help but wonder how pornography affects and distorts this natural process in men’s physiology.

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????????? November 24, 2014 at 2:33 pm

thank you for putting this in writing. You’ll be hearing from my attorney.

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The Enquirer November 24, 2014 at 3:28 pm

Will he cite the Wiki defintion to the judge?

Btw, I thought you and Bible Humper knew each other. Is that not the case?

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Bible Thumper November 24, 2014 at 4:26 pm

I only know her carnally over the web.

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The Enquirer November 24, 2014 at 6:23 pm

But you do know her outside the internets, right?

????????? November 25, 2014 at 10:51 am

Not to my knowledge, no.

Bible Thumper November 24, 2014 at 4:27 pm

Actually, l remember you gave your consent.

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Soft Sigh from Hell November 24, 2014 at 7:28 pm

“You’ll be hearing from my attorney.”

Attorney? Nay, from a big burly brutish hamfisted to-the-teeth-armed warrant-serving deputy. Lady deputy.

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Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 2:04 pm

Celebrity immunity from being called out for sexual predation is a big part of the problem. Consider the famed photographer Terry Richardson. What he got away with for decades, in the name of “art”, is truly horrible to consider in retrospect. The sordid tale of how he took advantage of beautiful young women, with the cooperation of many “legit” modeling agents, parallels that of Bill Cosby, and there is considerable overlap in the time frame. Here is a good article on Richardson.
http://nymag.com/thecut/2014/06/terry-richardson-interview.html

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euwe max November 24, 2014 at 2:19 pm

We know how to handle the mob in this country… Yakuza is very different… if the Yakuza get a foothold in this country – we’re screwed!

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Arlen Cooper November 24, 2014 at 2:35 pm

RAPE CULTURE PROBLEM? Ya reck’n? Beautiful babes + TESTOSTERONE, factor in no moral guidelines (like ol’ school did); and rape can take on a different (i.e. victimless), meaning.

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 2:38 pm

There is no victimless rape.

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Fecal Matters November 24, 2014 at 2:57 pm

Tell that to the “kid” that was taking his two blonde teachers to pound town.

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SCBlueWoman November 24, 2014 at 3:40 pm

That’s still rape.

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Buz Martin November 24, 2014 at 5:50 pm

Damned right it is, because the kid grows up with a warped sense of true authority and appropriate boundaries, and is likely to become a rapist himself.

Arlen Cooper November 24, 2014 at 5:13 pm

I know.

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:56 pm

“Softer” “different” rape? That’s twisted. Rape is rape.

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Truth November 25, 2014 at 8:38 am

That 1 in 5 statistic is complete bullshit.

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vancouverchic November 25, 2014 at 8:54 pm

Tell that to the CDC, rape lover.

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