Exactly this.
It's perfectly right to say that even if you dress in a provactive way you do not deserve to be raped. I think we can all agree with that. However, dressing in a certain way will attract attention - some of it unwanted - and this can and will inevitably on occasion lead to trouble.

There is no justification for rape - at all. However, trying to claim the moral high ground by saying 'we should be able to dress as we want' isn't going to stop women being raped.

Your average rapist isn't at home, thumbing through The Guardian saying "Hmm, they do have a point. I'll no longer select my victims according to how they're dressed."
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Thu 9 Jun 2011, 10:58, 2 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Should we women
be back to the burka, then?

I don't know how much you've read, but in the XVI century a woman would be a slut for showing her ankles (not her chest, though) and was calling for rape if she did it.

Things change, people can be educated, and no one should act with fear and hide what they are to avoid problems.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:11, Reply)

"It's perfectly right to say that even if you dress in a provactive way you do not deserve to be raped. I think we can all agree with that."
I don't think I can make myself any clearer than that, can I?

However, the object of the entire operation appears to be to change the minds of rapists, who by definition, don't really give a flying fuck about what anyone thinks.

The protest is all very noble, but I can't see it achieving anything.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:23, Reply)

And I repeat
things were worse 500 years ago when women had to be covered completelly, and showing an ankle would be a call for rape. We have improved, why can't we improve some more?
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:28, Reply)

Women didn't show their ankles well into the 1900s.
So basically not much changed for 400 years.

Again, I shall repeat, how are you going to change the attitude of rapists?
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:36, Reply)

More in my favour
Things have changed a lot in the last 100 years, then.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:37, Reply)

I see.
So by Christmas it'll be acceptable for everyone to wander about in the buff.

Well, that's progress.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:49, Reply)

Sorry to break the news
In some places, it's been acceptable for a while now. Maybe you should read the newspapers.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:50, Reply)

haha that's true,
it's not like the rapists are going to see the women's noble protest and decide to change their ways.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:30, Reply)

Exactly my point.

(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:33, Reply)

The protest is not for the rapists
is for educated people who still thinks it's the woman's fault for wearing slutty dresses.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:36, Reply)

oh yeah that's true
I still don't think them getting their ya yas out is going to do much though. Most people will probably tune in to see some ass.
( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:48, Reply)

I think we're on the same page here.

(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:50, Reply)

As all the beach volley fans.

(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:51, Reply)

that's why I watch Top Gun

( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:56, Reply)

and DOA ha!

( Kitty v1.0 desperately naive, Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:56, Reply)

Hahaha!
Seven Years in Tibet works for me!
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:57, Reply)

I'm guessing your average rapist isn't a stranger out prowling for a vulnerable victim.
He's more likely a husband or a boyfriend or a date who won't take no for an answer.
( crackhouseceilidhband Fuck off back to Mumsnet, Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:16, Reply)

Exactly
And they don't care how you're dressed, they just go for it.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:18, Reply)

So what exactly is the point of the walk in the first place?

(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:26, Reply)

Complaing about people
telling women that if they dress slutty they'll be raped.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:28, Reply)

Nah they're just all out on the pull.

(PsychoChomp, Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:29, Reply)

Is it going to stop anyone being raped?

(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:37, Reply)

I don't think so
but it could stop that "you deserve it" thought on society when a rape happens.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:38, Reply)

I don't think anyone in their right mind would say "well you deserved it" to a rape victim
However dressing in a certain way can be a contributing factor. To not see that would be naive.

However, I shall repeat, that does not justify rape.
(Reverend Fister "a disciplined fuckwit", Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:53, Reply)

A rapist
is moved by the occassion, as Kitty said. I've dressed as a slut many times and never been raped, as I was never on my own. Many women walking on their own and wearing thick winter clothes have been raped though.
(Aberracion Life's getting very complicated, but a lot of fun., Thu 9 Jun 2011, 11:59, Reply)