What do you make of this piece of news?

Question

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/itn/20080812/tuk-rape-compensation-cut-for-drunk-vict-dba1618.html

Basically drunken rape victims getting a cut in compensation.

I think it's a disgrace.

Although you're more likely to be raped if you're drunk, and alone on the street than you are if you're more sober and with friends, it's no excuse!

The man shouldn't rape a woman just because she's drunk. And giving less compensation will make it seem more acceptable to rape drunken women.

And what about the men who will just say the women were drunk even when they weren't so the compo is less?

And what if being drunk plays no part in the rape - could a woman fight off a big man even if she was sober?

I'd be interested in your opinions and thoughts on this.

Answer 1

Weird. Really weird.

If someone is raped, do they do a blood alcohol test right after? Is there a legal limit?

I'm with you, it's totally unfair.

Answer 2

I think this is sick, the rapist is even more evil for this because he can see she's very weak, and being drunk is not illegal and so it shouldn't effect conpensation.

This is so ****** up i can't believe it

you're totally right

Amie

<3

x*x

Answer 3

As another contributor mentioned earlier today, it's not about the amount of drink a woman takes, it's about control.

Answer 4

Rape is an evil crime and there is no excuse for it.  You cannot blame the victim for the crime - the rapist made a concious decision to commit that crime and must bear the full extent of the blame.

Being drunk makes no difference.  No decent man would rape a woman.

I'm sick of the way that this country constantly seeks to excuse the criminal's behaviour - "Oh she was drunk and asking for it" "he had a bad childhood" etc etc.  Boll*cks.  There is no excuse for ever committing a crime.  

Even if a girl is drunk and coming onto a man that still doesn't give him the right to rape her.  Anything less than willing consent from the woman is not acceptable.  No means no.  If he can't control himself he just needs to go and have a cold shower and a w*nk!!

I'm totally disgusted by this ruling.

I do think, however, that a lot of young women need to be educated about the dangers of getting really drunk and the risks of being attacked when in this state.  When my boyfriend was a barman he and his colleagues used to make sure they escorted any really drunk girls and women home for fear of something happening to them.   Girls need to realise that they are vulnerable in this condition and be careful.  

But that stil does not make the crime of rape any more excusable.

Answer 5

can any compensation, really make up for anyone being raped?

Answer 6

While rape is abhorant, if a woman allows herself to get drunk, she MUST bear some responsibility. If she wasn't drunk, the rape probably would niot have happened.

Answer 7

I agree. Drinking is legal .rape is not ever!! theres no excuse!

however i don't understand the compensation thing is that standard in uk or are these special cases

here in america your lucky if they can even find your rapist if you dont know who he is  

Answer 8

I absolutely agree with you, this news is disgusting.

Is it any wonder so few women report rape, this is a green light for the sick perverts to go ahead without any fear of reprisal

Answer 9

Men should not rape women, simple as.

I think the whole "the woman was drunk" thing is just trying to help out men who get with slags who get aboslutely bladdered and say "yeah lets go have s*x", then either dont remember consenting to it, or just dont like the guy for some reason.

Either way its 2 peoples opinions against one another.

Answer 10

i agree that it is distasteful. by reducing the compensation it send the message that the women themselves are partly at fault. no matter the circumstances no means no. also i think it might deswade women who were jrunk from reporting the crime, they might feel as thought they are to blame.

Answer 11

I think it is great. Cut the compensation. Why would they get any if drunk anyways. Do you know how many women cry rape and it consenting s*x? Lots, also if they are drunk who is to say they did or did not consent. If you are such a lush to drink and become drunk and wander off along and possibly act like you want s*x, your problem. It is so disgusting to see how other women lie about these things. No it is not ok to rape a drunk person, but who is to say what that person said or did? I am not justifying rape, I am saying they may be other factors and it is not ok to force a woman to have s*x, but what tyoe of woman roams around alone and drunk? One asking for trouble. Grow up. 30 years ago this would not even be an issue, wish we went back to better times in the early 1900's. Less crime, more punishment and better living.

Answer 12

I totally agree, the news story was awful!

No-one deserves to get raped and no woman should ever feel responsible for being raped. At least they have now taken he decision back.

I think women should be careful as things like this unforntunately do happen more often to drunk women. But this story almost said it was ok for men to do it to a drunk women which is totally unacceptable!

Answer 13

From experience...

I was raped when i was drunk. I was with my friends who were also drunk in a food place after we had been in a club. We were 15 and had consumed far too much alcohol. I was showing off in front of my friends and was leering over this older unattractive man, who then took me by the hand and behind some shops. Before i knew it i was in the gutter, i had tried to fight back by shouting and crying, even his mate shouted at me to shut up so he could watch. Afterwards my friends tried to confront the man but he said i asked for it. I was far too drunk to do anything about it, and didn't even call the police, probably because i wouldn't have remembered what he looked like etc.

Its terrible this on the news, because and i feel for girls who do report it, because they would have had to live through the ordeal of going through court and bringing it all up, and then to be made to feel its your fault for being under the influence of alcohol... what is rape like driving now, you have to be sober?  Unfortunately i was with the wrong friends, and was only 15 and didn't want to tell my parents etc.

I think this is totally wrong. They should go about it differently because what about men who spike girls drink with alcohol, this has also happened to me!

Girls do need to be more careful, i have learnt through my mistakes but it might be too late for the next girl.

But this is disgraceful news, how idiotic and stupid, all different situations should be thought about...

for example "a girl could be raped in the toilet of a club or party!?"

ahhhhh i'm really angry now, i hope something can be done about this!