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June Open Thread
Another month another Open Thread! Write what you like on topics within the general ambit of this blog, but here’s some suggestions for useful contributions: links to recent posts/articles that relate to topics covered by the FAQs here (and the best links might even be added to the Further Reading Lists on some of those […]

May Open Thread
More Open Thread! Write what you like on topics within the general ambit of this blog (self-promotion is entirely welcome). Here’s some suggestions for useful contributions:

April Open Thread
Some of you really want to see more action here again. But I’m just not sure that I have anything new to say…I’ve decided therefore that I’ll experiment with monthly Open Threads for a while and see what you all come up with.

One Reason Why False Rape Allegation Statistics Are So High
Guest Post by Dana Hunter
Men, even good men, believe women lie about rape. There’s this myth that runs amok saying that some enormous proportion of rape accusations are just women lying to get attention, or revenge, or to hide their summer fling from mommy and daddy. And they believe it without question.
When male friends toss that grenade at me, I toss it back by asking if they know what the percentage is. “Fifty percent,” they’ll say, or above, depending on which MRAs their stats are coming from.
“It’s two to eight percent,” I say, and I need to remember to never do this when they’re walking or have something in their mouths, because the good ones are always staggered, and they always gasp. “But even those numbers are on the high side.”

Feminism Friday: What can I do, right now today, to help stop sexual violence
It is frustrating to live in a society where sexual violence is commonplace, and feel helpless to stop it. Many people are so disgusted and frightened for themselves and those they care about, that they do not have the patience to wait for our culture to right itself. It is from this frustration, impatience, and usually from a sincere worry for women’s safety, that people often will try to pass along rape prevention measures that may or may not be useful. […]
Much of the safety advice that is given out is aimed at potential victims (quite often young women), that seems solid and constructive, but that largely ignores the social and societal context in which the violence happens, and also fails to take into consideration the practical realities of women’s lives.